The American State Department has resolved part of the staff and all family members of American staff of the US Consulate General in Almaty to voluntarily leave Kazakhstan. It is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the report of the foreign policy.
The State Department approved departs at the request of American civil servants – employees of the Consulate General in Alma-Ata, not involved in solving critical tasks, and family members of all American civil servants – employees of the Consulate General in Almaty, “the report says.
The letter specifies that the nationwide unrest, which began in the Republic of January 2, led to large-scale destruction of infrastructure and government buildings in Almaty, as well as to “detentions, injuries and / or death of a significant number of protesters and security forces” .
In addition, US citizens are recommended to refuse to travel to Kazakhstan because of the riots and the spread of coronavirus.
Protests in Kazakhstan began due to the increase in gas prices for cars. The cost of the liter rose from 60 to 120 tenge (from 10 to 20 rubles). Soon the protesters demanded the resignation of the government, holding new elections, as well as the consideration of the issue of lustration of people from the “clan” of the former President of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Three days later, the rallies turned into mass riots. In Alma-Ata, shops, banks were plundered, captured by the airport building, police plots, government agencies and infrastructure facilities. President of the Republic of Kasim-Zhomart Tokayev asked for help from the CSTO. Army was sent to suppressing speeches. In the republic, a red level of terrorist danger was introduced.