Kazakhstan protests explained: What’s behind the violent unrest in Almaty and why is it happening

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Protesters are seen as they enter the governor’s office in Almaty, Kazakhstan The rallies, which are the largest to be held in the former Soviet republic in more than a decade, have now morphed into a protest against the political elite and a call for improved living standards for ordinary people. Responding to such scenes, political analysts said young Kazakhs were fed up with their country’s lack of democracy and by an elite government that has held onto power since the dissolution of the USSR. Earlier on Wednesday, a Kremlin spokesperson said it would not tolerate foreign interference in Kazakhstan, a neighbouring country, saying it was playing close attention to the situation there. The Belarusian news agency Belta later reported that Mr Tokayev held a discussion about the unrest with the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko.