Chronology of 2022 January events in Kazakhstan
Three years have passed since the January events. What began as peaceful protests over fuel prices escalated into a violent attempted coup. This article, presented by Kazinform News Agency, provides a detailed day-by-day chronology of the events.
January 1. The beginning
On January 1, 2022, at 17:20 local time, a peaceful protest began near the Akimat in the city of Zhanaozen in Mangistau region, due to the increase in the price of automobile gas from 60 to 120 tenge.
This was particularly sensitive for the region, as most vehicles use this fuel. There is a version that the price increase was intentional, aimed at artificially creating social tension. After recording a video message demanding a reduction in gas prices, the people dispersed at 18:00 on the same day.
January 2. Escalation in Mangistau
The protests in Mangistau escalated into larger gatherings. Demonstrators in Zhanaozen and Aktau blocked roads and set up a tent camp in the main square. Local authorities engaged in negotiations, while the police maintained order without resorting to force. The atmosphere remained tense as the demonstrations gained momentum.
January 3. Nationwide spread
Protests spread to other regions, including Atyrau, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, Almaty regions and Almaty city. These gatherings were predominantly peaceful. The police continued to avoid using force against the protesters, only monitoring the maintenance of public order.
The Head of State instructed the Government to urgently address the situation, and a specially created commission flew to Mangistau, where it began negotiations with the protesters on-site to take specific measures to resolve the issue of automobile gas prices.
January 4. Violence erupts
The commission announced a reduction in gas prices in Mangistau, seemingly resolving the issue locally. However, in other regions, provocateurs called for acts of disobedience, and radical slogans appeared. In Almaty, initially peaceful rallies had turned violent. Criminal elements clashed with police, leading to the use of non-lethal measures such as tear gas, flashbang grenades and rubber bullets. Looting, vandalism, and arson ensued, with vehicles and public property destroyed.
Criminals began to lead the crowd, which destroyed everything in its path. Participants in the so-called peaceful rally were not willing to negotiate or talk. Well-organized criminal groups set cars on fire, beat police officers, and National Guard soldiers.
January 5. Seizing power
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed the government and ordered an investigation into the unrest. Despite this, violence escalated. Attacks and armed seizures of administrative buildings and Akimats in Aktobe, Atyrau, Kyzylorda, Mangistau, and Zhambyl regions were organized. In Taldykorgan, armed groups of bandits seized the Akimat building, police, and regional National Security Committee offices. But the conspirators made the southern capital, Almaty, the center of their criminal activities, where the largest terrorist attacks took place.
Armed groups captured the Almaty city’s Akimat building and Almaty International Airport at night. They also seized the prosecutor's office, television channels, and other media outlets. Various groups, including religious radicals, political extremists, criminals, and looters, participated in the unrest. Law enforcement reported the theft of approximately 3,000 weapons from armories.
Unknown individuals in red jackets and masks were coordinating and directing the crowd in the right directions. The attackers first disabled surveillance cameras. Firearms, rebar, sticks, and axes were distributed to anyone who wanted them. Dozens of businesses were looted or destroyed. Hospitals began receiving individuals with injuries from stabbings and gunfire. Police officers and National Guard soldiers, young men, were beaten and killed. The surviving officers were used as human shields for attacks on administrative buildings.
The unrest evolved into a coordinated effort to execute a coup d'état aimed at removing President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev from power. Evidence indicates that the conspirators meticulously planned their actions in advance, with the criminals' activities being systematically directed and controlled by the organizers of the unrest.
One of them was the criminal authority Arman Dzhumageldiev, known in criminal circles by the nickname "Wild Arman." Operating from a headquarters at the Kazakhstan Hotel, he coordinated criminal gangs, distributed weapons, and engaged in violent activities. Investigations revealed his connections to the inner circle of Karim Massimov, the then-head of the National Security Committee. Dzhumageldiev had arrived in Almaty on December 17, after a period of hiding abroad, to finalize preparations for radical attacks during the unrest.
On January 5, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Karim Massimov and ordered his arrest on charges of treason. Following an investigation, Massimov was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years in prison with confiscation of property. During the investigation, it was revealed that, as the head of the National Security Committee, Massimov had contacts with various dubious foreign figures and organizations. According to some versions and certain data, he was an agent of foreign intelligence services. Several other high-ranking officials were also arrested.
To restore order, the President declared a state of emergency until January 19, 2022, imposing a nationwide curfew from 23:00 to 07:00.
January 6. Counterterrorism operation
A counterterrorism operation was launched in Kazakhstan, with law enforcement and military forces authorized to use weapons to protect citizens. In Almaty, attempts to seize the Koktobe TV tower and the National Security Committee Border Guard Academy were thwarted.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened a Security Council meeting and invited peacekeepers from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). CSTO forces were used exclusively to guard strategic and socially significant objects: airfields, telecommunications complexes, communication infrastructure for enterprises, and utilities. This allowed Kazakhstani forces to focus on counterterrorism efforts.
A security purge was initiated to remove conspirators, and new leadership was appointed in security agencies. Aggressive groups were pushed out of central Almaty and other regions, with shootouts reported during the militants' retreat.
January 7. Restoring order
President Tokayev announced that constitutional order had been restored nationwide. Security operations continued, resulting in the detention of key figures, including Arman Dzhumageldiev. Confiscated weapons included assault rifles and grenade launchers.
The first units of the CSTO peacekeeping forces began arriving in Kazakhstan. The Belarusian military contingent guarded the Zhetygen airport and a military base in the city of Kapshagay (now known as Konayev). The Kyrgyz military contingent guarded the Almaty city CHPP-2. The Tajik military contingent guarded the Almaty city CHPP-1. The Armenian military contingent guarded the "Aksai" bakery plant. The Russian military contingent guarded Almaty city airport and strategic objects in the city of Almaty.
January 8. Stabilization efforts
The primary phase of the counterterrorism operation concluded. Authorities reported that while the situation had stabilized, isolated hotspots of unrest remained. The President declared January 10 a Day of National Mourning to honor the victims.
January 10. Day of National Mourning
Kazakhstan observed the Day of National Mourning. Analysis revealed that the unrest unfolded in planned phases: initial peaceful protests, escalation into violence, and the involvement of armed criminal and extremist groups. Authorities emphasized that decisive actions had prevented further destabilization.
January 11. Political reforms announced
At a meeting of the Majilis, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced large-scale political and socio-economic reforms. The Head of State signed a decree on the new composition of the Government. The early withdrawal of CSTO forces was confirmed as the situation had stabilized.
January 12. Assessing the damage
The President arrived in Almaty to personally assess the scale of the consequences of the terrorist attack on the country’s largest city. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the Government Commission, in cooperation with the Almaty Akimat, to restore infrastructure facilities as quickly as possible, including buildings of government agencies, law enforcement, and special services.
January 19. The End
The state of emergency was lifted nationwide.
Aftermath of January events
Following the January events, Kazakhstan implemented significant political and economic reforms. In March 2022, President Tokayev outlined measures to transition from a super-presidential system to a presidential republic with a strong Parliament and accountable Government. Key reforms included prohibiting the President’s membership in political parties and restricting political appointments for close relatives of the President.
On June 5, 2022, a nationwide referendum was held in Kazakhstan, in which constitutional reforms proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev were supported. One of the key changes to the Constitution was the introduction of a provision stating that all natural resources in Kazakhstan belong to the people. This provision became the foundation for the implementation of an important presidential initiative — "National Fund for Children." Around seven million Kazakhstani children received financial assistance amounting to 695.5 million USD.
An amnesty was declared in November 2022 for individuals involved in the unrest, excluding those convicted of serious crimes like terrorism and treason. Early presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan. The President was elected for a seven-year term, with no possibility of re-election.
The President of Kazakhstan received a mandate to carry out decisive reforms. A large-scale transformation of all institutions of power began. A new Majilis was elected through party lists and single-mandate constituencies. Six parties entered Parliament, three of which became parliamentary parties for the first time. The registration process for political organizations was significantly simplified. Direct dialogue between the State and the Government was ensured through the establishment of the National Kurultai.
New maslikhats were elected. Regional maslikhats were elected by a mixed system, while district and city maslikhats were elected by single-mandate constituencies. Their powers were strengthened. Akims are appointed after voting by the deputies of the maslikhats on an alternative basis. For the first time, elections were held for akims of districts and cities of regional significance.
Earlier it was reported that in his interview with the Ana Tili newspaper President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev talked about the lessons of January events.
