In Kazakhstan, the Energy Deputy Minister Zhumabay Karagayeva was detained, the political scientist of the Erbol was told in Telegram with reference to its own sources.
He argues that other persons are detained with Karagayev, “involved in the unreasonable increase in liquefied gas prices in the Mangystau region.” “Among the arrested, there are also heads of electronic trading platforms that were engaged in manipulations at the auction,” the report said.
In August 2021, it was reported that Karagayev threatened to deprive the European Union of Kazakhstan Oil. According to him, if the EU introduces a carbon tax, the Republic will reorient the supply to China and the countries of Southeast Asia.
In early 2022, prices for gas engine fuel increased dramatically in Kazakhstan. This caused mass protests in a number of regions of the country, including the Mangystau region. Gradually, socio-economic demands were replaced by political, including about leaving the policies of the first president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, and the rallies turned into riots.
The main collisions were held in Alma-Ata. Army was thrown on the suppression of the riots. The authorities called protesters terrorists. At the request of President Kasima-Zhomart Tokayeva, the troops of the Collective Security Treaty (CSTO) were entered into Kazakhstan, which were under the protection of infrastructure facilities. Their conclusion from the republic began on January 13th.