Eight police and military officers were killed in disturbances in several regions of Kazakhstan, while 317 others were wounded, RIA Novosti reported, citing media reports quoting the Interior Ministry.

Earlier, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said there were police officers killed and injured during the unsanctioned rallies.

He also said that amidst the protests in Almaty, crowds of thugs beat up the military, led them naked through the streets, abused women, and robbed shops. He said that the situation threatens the safety of all residents of Almaty.

Recall that in the first days of 2022, residents of the towns of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the Mangystau region, an oil-producing region in western Kazakhstan, protested against an increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas. Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered the formation of a government commission to examine the situation. On January 4, he said he was ready to meet the protesters' main demand and lower gas prices.