The Head of the Almaty Police Department presented the full chronology of the riots
At a briefing on January 16, Kanat Taimerdenov reported on the events that happened in the metropolis and called on citizens to observe security measures and not to succumb to provocations.
On January 3, illegal marches took place in the city in support of rallies in the western region of the country. From 200 to 2 thousand citizens gathered in different parts of the city. Explanatory preventive work was carried out with them. There were no gross violations by the protesters.
On January 4, about 2 thousand people gathered near the ice palace "Almaty Arena". Also, an illegal action was organized near the Eastern bypass road. In other parts of the city, up to 5 thousand people came out. The number of participants began to increase.
Attempts were made to block roads and block traffic along the streets of Ryskulov, Sain, the Eastern bypass road and Tole bi.
The protesters were joined by terrorists, extremists and criminals who called for violent actions against the authorities and the seizure of the akimat.
The entire personnel of the garrison was raised, additional police units and military personnel of the National Guard were deployed in the city, the protection of strategic facilities and life support facilities was strengthened. At lunchtime, at least 10,000 people broke through the cordon with the help of captured municipal vehicles and tried to capture the city administration. After two unsuccessful attempts, the protesters left the square. When leaving, service and fire engines were set on fire, and ambulances were damaged.
On the morning of January 5, a crowd of 20,000 headed for the city center. Taking into account the numerical advantage and weapons, they managed to break through several lines of defense, arrive at the Republic Square and capture the city administration building.
In different districts of the city, groups of militants began shelling, destroying the city, seizing weapons stores, opening indiscriminate fire, killing random passer-byes, and breaking into malls. In the evening of that day, the cortege of Almaty akim B. Sagintayev was fired upon. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency in Almaty.
On the night of January 5-6, the militants tried to seize the Police Department, in the Almaly, Zhetysu, Auezov, Bostandyk district divisions.
Attempts were made to attack the military units of the Ministry of Defense in order to seize weapons and military equipment. The International Airport of Almaty was captured.
From January 6 to present day, the security forces have been conducting an anti-terrorist operation.
“I ask the citizens to be patient with the forced restrictions, I urge you to remain calm, take precautions, especially in places where anti-terrorist operations are being carried out. Do not succumb to provocations and report all suspicious facts and persons to the police, thereby you will be of great help to law enforcement agencies in restoring order in our city,” Kanat Taimerdenov addressed Almaty residents.