Ruslan Iskakov News Today

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed his former chief of staff Olzhas Bektenov to the post of prime minister on January 6. The government had resigned one day earlier, which came as a surprise to observers. Former prime minister Alikhan Smailov, as well as four other ministers, left their post. Smailov had taken office after the Bloody January events of 2022. The composition of the cabinet did not show significant changes.

Early on January 2, 2022, residents of the oil city of Zhanaozen peacefully gathered to protest a significant rise in the selling price of gas for cars, which are heavily used in the region, which was caused by manipulations on electronic trading platforms. The requests were straightforward—to bring the cost of fuel back to reasonable levels. Local authorities decided to get away with general excuses about the new economic course and market pricing. The people did not appreciate it…

Since the violent unrest of January 2022 in Kazakhstan, Samat Abish has remained in the shadows of various investigations. He’s now a target.

While members of the ex-president's family lost powerful and lucrative positions after the bloodshed that left at least 238 people dead, they have not been formally placed under suspicion of fomenting it. Until now.

News and analytical articles about Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

NUR-SULTAN. KAZINFORM Todays Birthdays is the one-stop shop where you can learn about prominent Kazakhstani people who were born on the 23rd of December.