The speculation that the United States may be behind the large-scale protests that broke out in Kazakhstan is insane, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a briefing. The recording of the event is available on the White House Youtube channel.
“(There have been) insane Russian claims that the United States is behind this. I would like to take this opportunity to say that this is not true, ”said Psaki. She did not specify exactly who in Russia made such statements.
According to her, the United States is monitoring the situation in Kazakhstan and calling on the protesters for peaceful action, and the authorities for restraint.
Anti-terrorist operation launched in Almaty
Protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2 amid a two-fold increase in gas prices. In the country’s largest city, Alma-Ata, demonstrators seized the regional administration, the presidential residence and the airport, and broke into the offices of several TV channels. An arms store was looted. Due to the riots, the Internet and the cashless payment system have been turned off. The President of Kazakhstan has introduced a state of emergency in Alma-Ata, Nursultan and two regions of the country.
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