Moscow – Karim Massimov, chief of the counter-terrorism unit of Kazakhstan, was arrested for attempting to overthrow the incumbent government. This arrest is extremely significant against the background of the violent protests in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Russia has sent its troupes to Kazakhstan to get the situation under control. The United States has strongly objected to the Russian deployment.
Since the last five days, the violence that erupted in Kazakhstan has claimed the lives of 26 protestors and 18 others. The Kazakh agencies informed that hundreds of people had been injured. 4,400 people have been arrested and rifles like AK-47, AK-74 and AKS-74U, and 12G shotguns and sniper rifles have been seized from the protestors. It is being said that the protestors also attacked oil wells. Reports suggest the violence is under control, with the security agencies taking major action on Saturday. Karim Massimov and a few others were arrested under the accusation of treason.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the cabinet of Ministers four days ago. The security agencies informed that Massimov had plotted an armed rebellion against President Tokayev, for which he was arrested. This has created a stir in the Kazakh political circles. This is also because Massimov was a close confidant of former President Nursultan.
Meanwhile, Kazakh President Tokayev held telephonic talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Tokayev thanked the Russian President for sending the peacekeeping force at his request. The Kazakh President expressed a concern that some terrorists are still hiding in some parts of the country.
Under the Collective Security Treaty Organisation of the former Soviet member states, 1,800 Russian soldiers have reached Kazakhstan and videos have surfaced of some Russian units landing capital Nur-Sultan and Almaty. The United States has registered its objection against the Russian deployment.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised Kazakh President Tokayev for committing a blunder by inviting Russian soldiers. Blinken said, “The Kazakh government and the agencies have the capability of handling the protests. Therefore, I feel that there was no need to seek assistance from any other country. Once the Russians enter your homes, it is challenging to expel them.’
Whereas, the Russian foreign ministry criticised the US Secretary of the State is making childish statements when there are dangerous developments taking place in Kazakhstan. The Russian foreign ministry is pointing out that the Russian soldiers entered Kazakhstan only after the appeal made by President Tokayev. Reports are being received that Armenia who is sending its soldiers to Kazakhstan, is being threatened. As per reports, the Kazakh embassy in Moscow has threatened that the embassy in Russia will be attacked unless Armenia withdraws its military from Kazakhstan.
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