Kazakhstan: Protests, Nazarbayev's property empire, Tokayev's and Putin's responses
Description
From early January of this year Kazakhstan was rocked by a wave of protests.
They started in Zhanaozen over fuel price hikes but soon spread all over the country. The initial demands –economic reforms and regime change –were overshadowed by looting and violence. It’s been reported that 225 people lost their lives in the bloodshed, although the real number might be higher.
This new episode of Trouble with the Truth explores what happened in Kazakhstan during the protests.
We take a look at the vast property empire of the Nazaebayev’s family and its links to the crisis.
Journalist Madina Alimkhanova talks about her experience reporting from the street in Almaty during the protests and the attacks she faced.
Regional expert Erica Marat discusses the underlying causes of the unrest, the potential power struggle between the former and the current presidents and the dangers of inviting foreign troops to handle a domestic crisis.
Journalist and activist Lukhpan Akhmedyarov, who was imprisoned during the protests, talks about the role of agent provocateurs and how the latest crisis in Kazakhstan might benefit president Putin.
United States
