Tag Archives: Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan denies that the Kremlin has asked for emergency fuel supplies

APRIL 9 2024 (The Bulletin) — Kazakhstan’s energy ministry denied a Reuters report that the Russian government had asked it to supply 100,000 tonnes of fuel to make up a shortfall triggered by Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. Kazakhstan has imposed its own fuel export ban to meet growing domestic demand. This has forced up fuel price inflation in Tajikistan.

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— This story was published in issue 564 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on April 15 2024

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2024

Hardline Russian politician calls for invasion of Kazakhstan

APRIL 7 2024 (The Bulletin) — A hardline Russian politician resumed his calls for the Kremlin to invade Kazakhstan, setting off another debate in Kazakhstan about the readiness of its army and relations with Russia. The supposedly clandestine recording of Andriy Gurulyov, a Russian Duma deputy and a former army general, said that Kazakhstan should be next because it is “ungrateful”. Several Kremlin propagandists have called on Russia to invade Kazakhstan but Kazakh officials have played down the threat.

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— This story was published in issue 564 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on April 15 2024

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2024

Attackers firebomb Kazakh journalist’s car

JAN. 13 2023 (The Bulletin) — Unknown attackers firebombed a car belonging to Kazakh journalist Dinara Yegeubaeva on the anniversary of anti-government protests across Kazakhstan. Ms Yegeubaeva interviewed dozens of protesters who were detained and tortured by the police and broadcast them on social media channels. She had received several threats before her car was attacked.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Kazakh Central Bank keeps interest rates steady

JAN. 13 2023 (The Bulletin) — Kazakhstan’s Central Bank kept its key interest rate steady at 16.75% because it said that inflation was still rising, although more slowly than previously. Annualised inflation in Kazakhstan now stands at around 20.3%. In Georgia, the Central Bank said that inflation measured around 9.8%. Kyrgyzstan was the only country in the region to lower interest rates last year.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Kazakh inflation hits Steppe Cement profit

JAN. 11 2023 (The Bulletin) — London-listed Steppe Cement said that high inflation in Kazakhstan would hit its profit in 2022, forcing its share price to drop by 15%. The announcement was significant because it was one of the first times that business has admitted that high inflation in Kazakhstan, at 20%, is hurting it.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Nazarbayev loses Elbasy status and title

JAN. 11 2023 (The Bulletin) — A law that gave former Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev elevated status and power has been scrapped. Mr Nazarbayev has seen his legacy and privileges eroded since losing a power struggle with his successor, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, last year after anti-government protests. He has now lost his title of Elbasy, or Father of the Nation.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Kazakh government sets up “yurts of invincibility” in Ukraine

JAN. 6 2023 (The Bulletin) — The Kazakh government set up two so-called “yurts of invincibility” in Kyiv and Bucha to give people warm food and drinks and allow them to power up their mobile phones. Ukraine’s government has set up various “points of invincibility” to help people cope with a bombing campaign by Russia aimed at knocking out civilian heat and power sources. Russia has accused Kazakhstan of siding with its enemies.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Energy ministers agree to build hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan

JAN. 6 2023 (The Bulletin) — The energy ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed a deal to develop a major hydropower station in Kyrgyzstan which they hope will help to ease pressure on the region’s power production capacity. Plans to build Kambarata HPP-1 in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalalabad region have been on the drawing board for years and signing the deal is considered a major regional diplomatic success. Construction is scheduled to take up to 10 years. Central Asia’s power grid systems are interconnected.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Iranian chess player loses hijab for Kazakh chess tournament

JAN. 3 2023 (The Bulletin) — A female Iranian chess player who removed her hijab at a chess tournament in Kazakhstan in solidarity with protesters in Iran fled into exile in Spain. Sara Khadem was told that she wouldn’t be safe if she returned to Iran any time soon. Women in Iran are required to wear a hijab, although not in Kazakhstan.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023

Kazakh police arrest investigative journalist

DEC. 19 2022 (The Bulletin) — Police in Kazakhstan arrested investigative journalist Mikhail Kozachkov for allegedly taking a bribe from a crime boss to smear and blackmail business leaders. His supporters have said that he is being targeted in retaliation for his investigations into corruption in the police. They also said that Mr Kozachkov is being denied proper legal assistance.

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— This story was published in issue 532 of the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Jan. 16 2023

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2023