Kazakhstan: Authorities heighten security in Astana ahead of multiple state visits through Nov. 3

Authorities in Astana have heightened security as of Nov. 1 to facilitate the visits of multiple heads of state Nov. 1-3. French President Emmanuel Macron is in the city on Nov. 1, while Hungarian President Viktor Orban will be in the city on Nov. 2. Additionally, the Organization of Turkic States Summit will be held in Astana on Nov. 3; it will be attended by Orban, as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the leaders of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Police have erected seven checkpoints on major roads entering Astana, including on the road linking the city to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ), as well as on roads entering the city from Astrakhanka (M36 West), Karaganda (M36 East), Koschi (P3), Kokshetau (A1), Korgalzhyn (P2) and Pavlodar (P4). Police will check documents and search vehicles stopped at these checkpoints. Additional unspecified security measures, likely including additional deployments of security forces and temporary road closures, are anticipated. Some security-related flight disruptions are possible at NQZ as visiting delegations are arriving and departing.