Prosecutor of Almaty: Bandits used civilians as a shield
Almaty prosecutor Berik Zhuiriktaev, speaking at a briefing, noted that since January 5, only bandits and terrorists have been operating in the city. And the character, readiness, cruelty and synchronism of their actions testify to their organization.
“From the first days, all the employees of the prosecutor's office and myself were at the epicenter of events. We saw organized aggression on the part of bandits. They seized special equipment, fire engines, buses, which were rammed by law enforcement forces. Surveillance cameras were destroyed everywhere. They used paving stones and other improvised means to commit crimes,” the prosecutor of Almaty noted.
He said that one of the buildings of the prosecutor's office was set on fire in the city, in which all the personnel were located. Thanks to decisive actions on part of the emergency forces, it was possible to bring down the flames, evacuate employees, and they were rescued from the burning building.
B. Zhuiriktaev stressed that the criminals purposefully seized hunting shops and stormed the police. They needed weapons to attack law enforcement officers, intimidate civilians and continue terrorist attacks. Buildings were destroyed, the work of fire and medical assistance was blocked. Law enforcement agencies at that time believed that they were just angry protesters. Therefore, despite all the crimes committed, the security forces did not use weapons.
“Now, we already understand that the militants used the protests for their own purposes. They used civilians who took to the streets as a shield,” the Almaty prosecutor said.
According to him, since January 5, only bandits and terrorists have been operating in the city. It was no longer a peaceful protest.
“We are faced with an act of terrorism. The building of the city akimat, the airport and the presidential residence were seized. The nature, readiness, cruelty and synchronism of actions testify to their organization,” B. Zhuiriktaev said.
He expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as to all those who were injured.
According to the prosecutor of Almaty, today the situation in the city is stable.