16 gunmen killed and almost 6,000 people detained during unrest in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN, Jan. 9. (ST)- Law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan have killed 16 gunmen and detained over 5,100 people who took part in the riots in several regions of the country, the press service of the republic’s Interior Ministry reported on Sunday.

“By this time, 5,135 people have been detained throughout Kazakhstan,” the press service says.

According to the ministry, 125 pre-trial investigations have been launched into murders, violence against government officials, robberies, hooliganism and thefts.

As acting Interior Minister of the republic Yerlan Turgumbayev told the Khabar 24 TV channel, during the riots, more than 400 vehicles were damaged and destroyed, including 346 police vehicles. The looters have plundered more than 100 large trade facilities and banks.

Yesterday, authorities arrested nearly 100 gunmen and looters during the nighttime operation and seized around 118 weapons.

Since unrest broke out a week ago, at least 850 attackers, looters and other criminals had been arrested in Kazakhstan’s Almaty, said Erzhan Babakumarov, the city administration’s deputy head.

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour