8000 detained in Kazakhstan protests

The demonstrations began on Jan. 2 in Kazakhstan over a near-doubling of prices for a type of vehicle fuel and quickly spread across the country, apparently reflecting wider discontent with the authoritarian government. The protests grew to reflect discontent at the government and former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led Kazakhstan for three decades and is still thought to retain significant influence.
The authorities in Kazakhstan have detained nearly 8,000 people during protests that descended into violence last week and marked the worst unrest the former Soviet nation has faced since gaining independence 30 years ago. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described deadly violence last week as an attempted coup d'etat.
The authorities have declared Monday a day of mourning for dozens of victims of the unprecedentedly violent unrest. The country's Health Ministry said Sunday that 164 people, including three children, were killed in the unrest.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Kazakhstan had been targeted by international terrorism, but provided no evidence for this claim. He added that Russia would never allow revolutions in the region.
The authorities have now declared a state of emergency over the unrest, and President Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states. The group has authorised sending about 2,500 mostly Russian troops to Kazakhstan as peacekeepers. Troops from Russia and other countries are currently in Kazakhstan to restore order.
The recent violence may also be linked to a power struggle within the ruling elite.
Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken questioned Kazakhstan's decision to seek Russian military help. Officials in Moscow gave assurances their presence was temporary. Mr Blinken urged the Kazakh authorities to respect the rights of protesters while maintaining law and order.
Events in Kazakhstan come at a time when tensions are high over tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the border with Ukraine, prompting fears of an invasion