Kazakhstan: Protesters honor riot victims and challenge authorities

Hundreds of people gathered in Almaty to honor the memory of the victims of the January riots and put pressure on the authorities, on February 13, 2022. AFP - ALEXANDR BOGDANOV

Text by: RFI Follow

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In Almaty, several hundred people gathered on Sunday (February 13th) to mark 40 days of mourning after the first deaths in the January movement, when 227 people are believed to have died, after peaceful rallies against fuel prices turned violent, under suspicion of coup attempts.

But the rallies this Sunday were, like the last few days, motivated by socio-economic demands.

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With our correspondent in Central Asia,

Although gatherings are prohibited, around 700 people gathered this Sunday, Republic Square in Almaty, to honor

of what is now called "

".

An artist staged the event, placing 227 white sheets on which he placed apples, symbols of the city.

The rally was not dispersed, but the police gradually prevented people who wanted to join these ceremonies from entering Place de la République.

The peaceful tete-a-tete this Sunday testifies to the mood that reigns in the country.

Many

President Kassim-Jomart Tokayev to impose the reforms he has promised, both political and economic.

The past few days have been marked by

and strikes at factories across the country, such as at the Aktau city branch of Kazatomprom, the state nuclear company, where workers are demanding a doubling of their wages.

This amounts to around 300 euros per month.

Several sectors are affected by this kind of movement, such as oil, telecoms or ambulance drivers.

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• Kazakhstan

• Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

• Social issues