President vows to unmask elements behind unrest in Kazakhstan

NUR SULTAN, Kazakhstan

The Kazakh president said on Tuesday that it is important to identify those responsible for inciting unrest in the country, calling recent protests and arson "terror attacks."

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in parliament that plotting for attacks on Kazakhstan began years ago, and that ethnic conflict in the southern Jambyl province last year was part of this plan.

He also accused some members and officials of the National Security Committee of disloyalty to the state.

"Despite having considerable military ammunition, the regional chiefs of the National Security Committee, during the events (protests), left the buildings without engaging in fighting, leaving weapons and confidential documents behind," Tokayev said.

Those who organized the attacks used public discontent over fuel price hikes as a tool, Tokayev said, adding that "the unity of our society was systematically shattered by professionally designed situations."

He questioned why the state "fell asleep in the face of the militants' sleeper cells."

"Why is there such a large number of illegal weapons and special equipment on the territory of our country? Now the special investigation and operations team will need to resolve these issues in a qualified and integrated way," he stressed.

Tokayev also emphasized that all institutions responsible for the country's national security will be reorganized.

Pointing to the risk of financial institutions transferring capital abroad, and adding that they detected movement in some accounts, Tokayev ordered the National Bank to tighten controls in the sector.

He also introduced a five-year moratorium on salary hikes for state officials, especially parliamentarians.

Last week, the president declared a state of emergency in the former Soviet country in the wake of protests against the doubling of LPG prices.

Later, he requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance, which dispatched troops to quell the unrest.

At least 164 people, including a 4-year-old girl, were killed during weeklong protests in the country.

*Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev