Violent clashes in Kazakh oil town leave 10 dead, scores injured

2011-12-17 06:41:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

ASTANA (BNO NEWS) -- At least ten people were killed on Friday during violent clashes between police and striking oil workers in western Kazakhstan, officials said. Scores of others have been injured.

The clashes erupted as the Central Asian nation marked the 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union. Police moved in to clear the main square in the town of Zhanaozen for independence celebrations but were charged by the oil workers, who have been demanding higher wages for months.

An eyewitness told the BBC that she witnessed how police officers opened fire on unarmed protesters, and that one man died in her arms after being shot. However, authorities denied reports that police had opened fire on unarmed protesters.

Kazakh Prosecutor General Askhat Daulbayev claimed rioters had attacked civilians who were gathering for the celebrations. "Refusing to give themselves up, the hooligans attacked law enforcement officers," he said, adding that the rioters took down a Christmas tree, destroyed a stage and set a police bus on fire.

"Besides, they also beat the civilians and demolished the cars which were parked near the square," Daulbayev said at a news conference. "The town administration, hotel buildings and the administrative building of Ozenmunaigas were set on fire."

Daulbayev confirmed at least ten people had been killed while an unknown number of people were injured, including police officers. He did not say if all of the fatalities were protesters, or if police officers and civilians were among those killed.

The Kazakh opposition TV channel K-Plus showed what appeared to be the beginning of the unrest, with oil workers running on to the stage, tipping over speakers and pushing officials before police arrived. Authorities were allegedly trying to control media reports, with internet users reporting difficulties accessing independent news websites and social networking websites such as Twitter.

The oil workers at the Ozenmunaigas oil field have protested for months to demand higher salaries, and strike organizers claim the workers are owed danger money for the tough conditions they work in. Hundreds of workers have been fired for demonstrating in the oil-rich but remote western Mangistau region.

Friday's unrest was unusual for Kazakhstan as President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has been in power since April 1990, has kept a tight rein on public protests. Nazarbayev was last re-elected in April with 95 percent of the votes, but election observers claim the elections were rigged with ballot box-stuffing, voter intimidation and a lack of transparency.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-17

BBC World has an advert promoting "do business in Kazakhstan".....