Kazakhs gathered at the central square of Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, on January 5 to commemorate the victims of a nationwide mass protest that claimed the lives of 238 people.
'Bloody January': Kazakhs Honor Victims A Year After Deadly Crackdown
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About 50 people gathered next to the Monument of Independence in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to pray and express their frustration with investigations into the deaths that occurred a year ago.
On January 2, 2022, a peaceful protest against an increase in fuel prices turned into widespread anti-government demonstrations that culminated in a deadly "shoot-to-kill" order.
On January 2, 2022, a peaceful protest against an increase in fuel prices turned into widespread anti-government demonstrations that culminated in a deadly "shoot-to-kill" order.
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People who gathered on the fog-shrouded square recalled that Almaty saw similar weather last year when the killings began.
“The fog still worries me,” recalls a woman named Aliya, who came to the square to pay tribute to those who died.
“The fog still worries me,” recalls a woman named Aliya, who came to the square to pay tribute to those who died.
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A man on crutches climbs the steps to take part in the commemoration.
Kazakh police monitored the gathering but did not interfere. However, RFE/RL correspondents reported that Internet access was blocked in the area. During last year's protests, Kazakh authorities switched off the Internet and restricted mobile phone operations for five days.
Kazakh police monitored the gathering but did not interfere. However, RFE/RL correspondents reported that Internet access was blocked in the area. During last year's protests, Kazakh authorities switched off the Internet and restricted mobile phone operations for five days.
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A bullet hole on the Monument of Independence serves as a reminder of the violence that was unleashed on the peaceful protesters.
President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev blamed activists and journalists for "inciting" the protests. Toqaev also claimed that "20,000 extremists trained in foreign terrorist camps" attacked Almaty, but he did not provide any evidence to support the claim.
President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev blamed activists and journalists for "inciting" the protests. Toqaev also claimed that "20,000 extremists trained in foreign terrorist camps" attacked Almaty, but he did not provide any evidence to support the claim.
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Bystanders watch the commemoration.
As the unrest spread last year, Toqaev requested help from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose members sent troops. Toqaev also ordered security forces "to shoot to kill without warning."
As the unrest spread last year, Toqaev requested help from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose members sent troops. Toqaev also ordered security forces "to shoot to kill without warning."
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Activist Inga Imanbay says the police had just detained three of her colleagues earlier that day, January 5, and spoke of the abuse that her colleague Abzal Dostiyarov received.
“Abzal wanted to take his daughter to kindergarten in the morning and then go to the square. When he entered the elevator, they were already waiting for him. They beat him in front of his daughter and took him to the police together with the child."
“Abzal wanted to take his daughter to kindergarten in the morning and then go to the square. When he entered the elevator, they were already waiting for him. They beat him in front of his daughter and took him to the police together with the child."
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Activist Alnur Ilyashev (center) and businessman Bulat Abilov (right) attended the rally in memory of the victims of the January 2022 events.
"The authorities are taking steps to strengthen themselves and their institutions. A tragedy happened. Of course, everyone wants an objective and fair investigation, but there is none," Abilov said.
"The authorities are taking steps to strengthen themselves and their institutions. A tragedy happened. Of course, everyone wants an objective and fair investigation, but there is none," Abilov said.
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Activists are demanding that Toqaev and his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbaev, be held accountable for the bloodshed. They also said Toqaev must be impeached and called for Kazakhstan's departure from the CSTO.
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Flowers lie next to a list of victims at the foot of the Monument of Independence.
Only one military officer has been prosecuted over abuses committed during the crackdown. In November, Mark Zlunyaev was sentenced to six years in prison over the death of a shepherd who was shot near a military facility in the southern city of Taldykorgan.
Only one military officer has been prosecuted over abuses committed during the crackdown. In November, Mark Zlunyaev was sentenced to six years in prison over the death of a shepherd who was shot near a military facility in the southern city of Taldykorgan.
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A photo of a cadet who died on January 5 was also left near the monument.
In many cases, the circumstances of the victims' deaths remain unclear, with Kazakh prosecutors citing Kazakh law and the requests for privacy by the bereaved as reasons not to disclose further details.
In many cases, the circumstances of the victims' deaths remain unclear, with Kazakh prosecutors citing Kazakh law and the requests for privacy by the bereaved as reasons not to disclose further details.
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After the speeches and the laying of flowers, a memorial prayer was held.
More than 1,000 protesters and others have been convicted, including on charges of “participating in mass riots,” according to a December report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
More than 1,000 protesters and others have been convicted, including on charges of “participating in mass riots,” according to a December report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
![A woman distributes bread after the prayer to participants. HRW, citing local independent human rights monitors, said the authorities have closed at least 32 cases relating to the deaths of 139 people. The rights groups said the “authorities’ investigation into the events [of January 2022] has been one-sided.”](https://gdb.rferl.org/02490000-0aff-0242-e171-08daef035e49_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A woman distributes bread after the prayer to participants.
HRW, citing local independent human rights monitors, said the authorities have closed at least 32 cases relating to the deaths of 139 people. The rights groups said the “authorities’ investigation into the events [of January 2022] has been one-sided.”
HRW, citing local independent human rights monitors, said the authorities have closed at least 32 cases relating to the deaths of 139 people. The rights groups said the “authorities’ investigation into the events [of January 2022] has been one-sided.”
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City authorities also held their own memorial at the newly created Tagzym Memorial on January 5.
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In a tightly controlled event for officials and public-sector employees, Toqaev dedicated the Tagzym Memorial to victims of the January bloodshed on the morning of December 23.
Instead of listing the names of the victims, writings on the steles refer to the theme of unity and rallying of the nation, and the need to turn the page of history after the bloodshed, which the authorities called "a great and tragic lesson for all."
Instead of listing the names of the victims, writings on the steles refer to the theme of unity and rallying of the nation, and the need to turn the page of history after the bloodshed, which the authorities called "a great and tragic lesson for all."
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Human rights organizations have demanded a full international inquiry into the unrest, alleging evidence that police enforcement and military personnel were responsible for the deaths of peaceful protesters and non-protesters.
Kazakh officials have rejected calls for an international investigation.
Kazakh officials have rejected calls for an international investigation.
