"Kazakhstan has actually returned to the soviet times

Question: How do you assess the events that took place in Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan was considered one of the most stable countries in the world, and for many years there were no revolutions or uprisings in this country. The protests are known to have been triggered by rising fuel prices. The peaceful protests subsequently turned into a hot phase. What happened? How did social protest turn into political? I think this is the main question.

Answer: Yes, indeed, the protest began with demands to abolish the sharp rise in prices for liquefied gas and, perhaps, if this issue had been promptly resolved, then it would have all ended there. But the solution to this issue was delayed for almost three days: either they said that it was impossible to lower the gas price, mockingly advising all dissatisfied people to use public transport, then they lowered it to 85 tenge, stating that it was impossible to lower it anymore, and so far, they came to a decision about 50 tenge , already completely angry people put forward other demands. It is difficult to say what caused this "efficiency", whether it was done intentionally or is it just the stupidity and lack of professionalism of state managers. But the result is obvious.

Question: I affirm that someone is behind these protests. Pro-Russian people believe that the West, in particular the United States, is behind all this, while the majority sees a Russian trace in this. Do you think someone is leading these events or is it a protest of the Kazakh people?

Answer: This is the protest of the Kazakh people, and the imperials see "American cookies" everywhere. They think that the people are a stupid herd that cannot have their own opinion and put forward demands. Talking about Washington's hand in connection with the events in Kazakhstan is ridiculous and stupid.

Question: There is also an opinion that Russia is trying to restore the USSR and  has begun this process from Kazakhstan. That by doing so, Russia also wants to block the Union of Turkic States, which also supports Kazakhstan. What do they think about it?

Answer: Russia's attempts to restore the USSR have been observed for a long time. This process  began  from Belarus, Kazakhstan is the second country.

Question: The Russian army is already in your country as CSTO peacekeepers at the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan. How did the people react to this invitation, to the introduction of a foreign army into the country? Will the CSTO army be able to put an end to the protests?

Answer: The people reacted negatively; this is an occupation. Kazakh army and power structures would be quite enough. For over  30 years, so much money was allocated for their equipment and maintenance that they could maintain order without any problems.

Question: Many protesters have been arrested for several days. At the same time, many people were killed and wounded. Will it be possible to drown out the protest in this way?

Answer: Yes, in fact, the people are drowned in blood.

Question: What happened is compared  with  the  National Movement in Azerbaijan in 1998. At the same time,  the killing of people in Kazakhstan by the invading Russian army is equated to the tragedy of January 20, 1990 in Azerbaijan. After these events, Azerbaijan achieved its goal and became independent. But, at the same time, its sovereignty was under threat, and with the support of Russia, Armenia occupied Karabakh. And now there are fears that if the protests in Kazakhstan continue and the protesters succeed, then Russia may threaten the country's sovereignty. Does Kazakhstan think about this danger?

Answer: You have Karabakh - we have northern territories, which are periodically remembered by chauvinists (Russian - editor's note).

Question: What lessons do you think should be learned from these protests? What does Kazakhstan expect after these events?

Answer: Sadly, Kazakhstan has actually returned to the soviet times.

Kamran Mahmudov