164 died during Kazakhstan riots

The death toll from riots in Kazakhstan has reached 164, said the country's Health Ministry, Report informs via TASS.

According to the ministry, since the beginning of the riots, 103 people have died in Almaty (city), 21 in Kyzylorda, 10 in Jambyl, and 8 in the Almaty region.

Mass protests in Kazakhstan began in the first days of 2022. Residents of the western cities of Janaozen and Aktau protested against the doubling of liquefied natural gas prices, and protests spread to other cities. Clashes with security forces broke out in Almaty on January 4 and 5, with police using tear gas and stun grenades. The internet was cut off in the country, and the broadcasting of some TV channels was suspended.

A state of emergency has been declared in the country until January 19.

On January 5, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed the government and headed the country's Security Council. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) sent peacekeepers to Kazakhstan after Tokayev's appeal.

Kazakhstan has declared January 10 a nationwide day of mourning.