TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Authorities in Kazakhstan arrested a former interior minister on Tuesday, in connection with deadly police crackdown on unrest that gripped the country in 2022, Kazakh news media reported.
The Prosecutor General’s Office announced on Monday that Erlan Turgumbayev was detained on charges of “abuse of power and official authority resulting in grave consequences” in the harsh crackdown of riots by the police. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is in charge of the nation’s police force.
The unrest started in the city of Zhanaozen on Jan. 2, 2022, when residents protested a sharp increase in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas, commonly used as fuel for vehicles in Kazakhstan.
Those protests evolved into criticisms of corruption, economic inequality against former leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, whose critics say have been profiting off the country’s vast energy wealth ever since assuming office in 1991.
EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Prince Harry's army friend JJ Chalmers urges Kate to talk about cancer
Helping Ewenki People Escape Poverty by Developing Tourism
China's Chen, Fan Labor to WTT Singapore Smash Crowns
China Wins Two More Gold Medals, Qin Lands Second Breaststroke Title
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, an FBI report says
Hard Work, Many Revisions Made Paralympic Mascot
Wang and Hsieh Clinch Women's Doubles Title at Roland Garros
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Israel must beware all
New Jersey seeks fourth round of offshore wind farm proposals as foes push back
Chinese vice premier stresses implementation of projects funded by gov't bonds