16 Dec 2019 | 05:07 PM UTC
Kazakhstan: Police detain dozens in Independence Day protests in Nur-Sultan and Almaty December 16 /update 1
Police detain dozens of people in Independence Day protests in Nur-Sultan and Almaty December 16; heightened security presence to be expected in protest-affected areas over coming hours
Event
Police detained dozens of people amid protests in Nur-Sultan and Almaty on Monday, December 16, coinciding with Kazakh Independence Day. As many as 100 anti-government protesters reportedly assembled in the cities, demanding political reforms and denouncing the lasting political influence of the family of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who resigned in March. Police detained dozens in the cities as demonstrators attempted to march from initial protest sites through streets.
A heightened security presence is to be expected in protest-affected areas of Nur-Sultan and Almaty over the coming hours.
Context
Kazakhstan declared independence from the Soviet Union on December 16, 1991.
Advice
Individuals in Nur-Sultan and Almaty are advised to monitor developments, avoid all demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.
