2022 Kazakh unrest — series of protests in Kazakhstan that began on 2 January 2022 after an LPG price increase
The January 2022 unrest in Kazakhstan resulted in 227 deaths and nearly 10,000 arrests, prompting the first-ever CSTO military deployment.
Key Facts
- Deaths reported
- 227
- Arrests made
- Over 9,900
- Protests began
- 2 January 2022, Zhanaozen
- CSTO troops withdrawn by
- 20 January 2022
- Gas price cap restored
- 50 tenge per litre for 6 months
- State of emergency declared
- 5 January 2022, nationwide
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 1 January 2022, the Kazakh government lifted a price cap on liquefied petroleum gas, causing an immediate sharp price increase. This triggered protests beginning on 2 January in Zhanaozen, compounded by deep public dissatisfaction with poverty and long-standing grievances against former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who retained significant political influence as chairman of the Security Council.
Protests spread rapidly from Zhanaozen to major cities, including Almaty, where demonstrations turned violent. President Tokayev declared a state of emergency, Prime Minister Mamin resigned, and Nazarbayev was removed from the Security Council chairmanship. Kazakhstan invoked the CSTO, which deployed troops to guard government buildings and infrastructure. Tokayev authorized lethal force against what he termed armed bandits and terrorists.
The unrest left 227 dead and over 9,900 arrested. CSTO forces, deployed in the alliance's first-ever collective military intervention, withdrew fully by 20 January. Tokayev consolidated power, removing Nazarbayev's influence, and restored the LPG price cap as a concession. The government characterized the events as a foiled coup d'état orchestrated by criminal groups and high-ranking officials.