Protests had erupted over surging fuel prices and escalated into an uprising against corruption. Violent clashes between protesters and security forces left dozens of demonstrators and forces killed. In a televised address on Friday, Tokayev said he had given security forces orders to open fire without warning if there were further disturbances.

The president made reference to "20,000 bandits" who had attacked the country's largest city of Almaty and vowed to destroy them.

Authorities said there have also been 3,000 arrests, according to state broadcaster Khabar 24 citing the interior ministry. Security has been bolstered across the country, with 70 checkpoints operating around the clock. On Thursday, authorities said 18 security personnel had been killed, including one who had been beheaded.

Chapters
00:00 Latest developments
03:00 Interview with Joanna Lillis, author and journalist
07:30 Interview with Reid Stanish, Radio Free Europe
11:00 Kazakhstan's economic and geopolitical background
12:20 Interview with Journalist Edda Schlager