MOSCOW, 8 Jan. The influence of the ex-head of BTA Bank Mukhtar Ablyazov, convicted in absentia in Kazakhstan, on the protests in the country is rather exaggerated, said the director of the Institute of World Economy and Politics Yerzhan Saltybaev. Earlier, the former head of BTA Bank, Mukhtar Ablyazov, who was previously convicted in absentia in Kazakhstan, who called himself the leader of the protests in the country, said that he appealed to the leaders of the United States and European countries to impose sanctions against the current Kazakh authorities. “I believe that Ablyazov’s importance is quite exaggerated from the point of view of him as a factor of protests. Of course, he had a certain network of people in many regions, which he supported. And the activity has been quite clear in recent years, any more or less noticeable actions were somehow connected with his activity, «he said on the air of the Soloviev Live Youtube channel.» You have to understand that a person has quite serious financial resources. He took out of the country, stole from banks almost several billion dollars. Therefore, possessing significant cash, he can d to bribe people with hundreds of thousands. There were grounds and resources for such activities, but another question is how much he had the ability to influence the processes? This is a big question «, — added the expert. 
He called himself «the leader of the opposition» and demanded sanctions against Kazakhstan. 2022 — residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the west of the country opposed a twofold increase in prices for liquefied gas. Later, the protests spread to other cities, including Alma-Ata, the old capital and the largest city of the republic: looting began there, militants attacked state institutions, took away weapons. In response, the authorities declared a state of emergency across the country until January 19 and launched a counter-terrorism operation. According to the UN, about 1,000 people were injured during the protests in Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic, 18 security officials were killed. On the morning of January 5, Kazakh President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev dismissed the government and headed the Security Council. At the first meeting of the Security Council under his leadership, Tokayev described the situation in Kazakhstan as undermining the integrity of the state and said that he had asked the CSTO for help «in overcoming the terrorist threat.» The CSTO Collective Security Council decided to send collective peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to normalize the situation in the country. On January 7, Tokayev said that terrorists, including those who arrived from abroad, continued to resist, and promised to destroy those who did not lay down their arms. In addition, the President noted that all the demands of citizens, expressed in peaceful forms, were heard. Follow the situation in Kazakhstan in the online report & gt; & gt; The country is on fire. Kazakhstan entered the new year with riots
Protest actions in Kazakhstan began in the first days of the new year. Residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protested against the double rise in the price of liquefied petroleum gas.
1 of 17
Protest actions in Kazakhstan began in the first days of the new year. Residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protested against the double rise in the price of liquefied petroleum gas.
First, President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev instructed to create a commission to study the situation.
2 of 17
First, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed to create a commission to study the situation.
He then dismissed the government and said that the ministers were especially responsible for allowing the protest situation.
3 of 17 < p> Then he dismissed the government and said that the ministers were especially guilty for allowing a protest situation.
The President urged people to show prudence and not succumb to provocations from inside and outside.
4 of 17
The President urged people to show prudence and not succumb to provocations from inside and outside.
In Almaty, the largest city in the country, protesters clashed with security officials.
5 of 17
Protesters clashed with security forces in Almaty, the country's largest city.
The police used gas and flash bangs.
6 of 17
The police used gas and stun grenades.
In the photo: rioters in Almaty interfere with the work of an ambulance.
7 of 17
In the photo: rioters in Almaty interfere with the work of ambulances.
A state of emergency has been declared in several regions.
8 of 17
Several regions have declared a state of emergency.
A curfew is imposed there, mass events are prohibited and movement is restricted.
9 of 17
A curfew is imposed there, prohibited mass events and restrictions on movement.
In the country because of the riots, the Internet was turned off.
10 of 17
The Internet was turned off in the country due to riots.
RIA Novosti correspondents made sure that the websites of some government agencies of Kazakhstan do not open from abroad, and sites of various media do not work either.
11 of 17
RIA Novosti correspondents were convinced that the websites of some government agencies of Kazakhstan do not open from abroad, and that the sites of various media do not work.
Moscow hopes for an early normalization of the situation in Kazakhstan.
12 of 17
Moscow hopes for an early normalization of the situation in Kazakhstan.
The Foreign Ministry noted that they stand & # 34; for a peaceful solution to all problems, and not through street riots and violation of laws & # 34 ;.
13 of 17
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that they advocate a peaceful solution to all problems, and not through street riots and violation of laws & # 34 ;.
The President of Kazakhstan addressed the nation for the second time in a day.
14 of 17
The President of Kazakhstan for the second time in a day made an appeal to the nation.
He announced that he intends to stay in the capital of the country, and also promised to come out with a new package of proposals in the near future.
15 of 17
He stated that he intends to stay in the capital of the country, and also promised to come out with a new package of proposals in the near future.
In addition, from today Tokayev heads the Security Council of Kazakhstan.
16 of 17
In addition, from today Tokayev heads the Security Council of Kazakhstan.
He is also promised to act as harshly as possible against offenders.
17 of 17
He also promised to act as hard as possible on offenders.
1 of 17
Protest actions in Kazakhstan began in the first days of the new year. Residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protested against the double rise in the price of liquefied petroleum gas.
2 of 17
First, President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev instructed to create a commission to study the situation.
3 of 17
Then he dismissed the government and said that the ministers were especially responsible for allowing a protest situation.
4 of 17
The president urged people to show prudence and not succumb to provocations from inside and outside.
5 of 17
In Alma-Ata, the largest city in the country, protesters clashed with security officials.
6 of 17
The police used gas and stun grenades.
< br> 7 of 17
In the photo: participants in the riots in Almaty interfere with the work of the ambulance.
8 of 17
A state of emergency has been declared in several regions.
9 of 17
A curfew is being imposed there, mass events are prohibited and movement is limited.
10 of 17
The country has turned off the Internet due to riots.
11 of 17
Correspondents of RIA Novosti made sure that the websites of some state bodies of Kazakhstan are not opened from abroad, sites of various media also do not work.
12 of 17
Moscow hopes for an early normalization of the situation in Kazakhstan.
13 of 17
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that they advocate a peaceful solution to all problems, and not through street riots and violation of laws & # 34 ;.
14 of 17
The President of Kazakhstan addressed the nation for the second time in 24 hours.
15 of 17
He stated that he intends to stay in the capital of the country, and also promised to come out with a new package of proposals in the near future.
16 of 17
In addition, from today Tokayev heads the Security Council of Kazakhstan.
17 of 17
He also promised to act as harshly as possible against offenders.