Kazakhstans President wants security forces to shoot protesters

Since the protests started, initially peaceful marches turned into violent clases, with protesters seizing government buildings and several deaths on both the civilians' side and the security forces. Official sources claim 28 protesters and 18 police officers have been killed, though independent sources claim the actual numbers to be way higher. The center of the protests has been Almaty, the largest city in the country.

In the past few days, the situation has calmed down a bit, after Russias President Putin has announced the country will send security forces to Kazakhstan to prevent further escalation.

Now, on Friday the countrys president, vowed to retaliate against the protesters who want him out. Speaking in Almaty at a televised address, he told security forces to "use lethal force without warning", calling the protesters "bandits and terrorists". He went on to blaim foreign media for inciting the riots and dismissed calls from leaders around the world for negotiations the conflicting parties, stating there will be no neagotiations with "criminals".

The president also announced the creation of a special agency to track down and prosecute protesters, which has alarmed human rights groups.

The conflict emerged over rising fuel prices, but experts say lingering frustrations in the general population also played a huge role.