02:53German Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Christofer Burger and Deputy Federal Spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann commented on developments in Kazakhstan in Berlin on Friday.
Speaking to about a dozen journalists present, Burger warned that the use of firearms against civilians should always remain a last resort, following reported of a firing order issued by Kazakh head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Christiane Hoffmann also said that the peacekeepers sent to Kazakhstan had to act in accordance with their responsibilities.
On Friday, in a televised address, President Tokayev ordered security forces to open fire without warning against violent protesters, claiming they were 'bandits and terrorists' who had been trained.
Unrest has gripped the central Asian republic after unauthorised rallies began in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan on Sunday after prices of liquefied gas rose from 60 to 120 tenge (€0.12 to €0.24; $0.14 to $0.28) per litre from January 1. The price hike came after the government lifted price controls on liquefied petroleum gas, citing a need to liberalise the market.
According to the republic’s Ministry of Health, more than 1,000 people have been injured during the ongoing protests and almost 400 hospitalised.
On Thursday, the Collective Security Council (CSTO) sent peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to protect state and military facilities and assist law enforcement.
Germany: Live ammunition 'must always be a last resort' - FM spox on Kazakhstan unrest
German Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Christofer Burger and Deputy Federal Spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann commented on developments in Kazakhstan in Berlin on Friday.
Speaking to about a dozen journalists present, Burger warned that the use of firearms against civilians should always remain a last resort, following reported of a firing order issued by Kazakh head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Christiane Hoffmann also said that the peacekeepers sent to Kazakhstan had to act in accordance with their responsibilities.
On Friday, in a televised address, President Tokayev ordered security forces to open fire without warning against violent protesters, claiming they were 'bandits and terrorists' who had been trained.
Unrest has gripped the central Asian republic after unauthorised rallies began in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan on Sunday after prices of liquefied gas rose from 60 to 120 tenge (€0.12 to €0.24; $0.14 to $0.28) per litre from January 1. The price hike came after the government lifted price controls on liquefied petroleum gas, citing a need to liberalise the market.
According to the republic’s Ministry of Health, more than 1,000 people have been injured during the ongoing protests and almost 400 hospitalised.
On Thursday, the Collective Security Council (CSTO) sent peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to protect state and military facilities and assist law enforcement.
German Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Christofer Burger and Deputy Federal Spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann commented on developments in Kazakhstan in Berlin on Friday.
Speaking to about a dozen journalists present, Burger warned that the use of firearms against civilians should always remain a last resort, following reported of a firing order issued by Kazakh head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Christiane Hoffmann also said that the peacekeepers sent to Kazakhstan had to act in accordance with their responsibilities.
On Friday, in a televised address, President Tokayev ordered security forces to open fire without warning against violent protesters, claiming they were 'bandits and terrorists' who had been trained.
Unrest has gripped the central Asian republic after unauthorised rallies began in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan on Sunday after prices of liquefied gas rose from 60 to 120 tenge (€0.12 to €0.24; $0.14 to $0.28) per litre from January 1. The price hike came after the government lifted price controls on liquefied petroleum gas, citing a need to liberalise the market.
According to the republic’s Ministry of Health, more than 1,000 people have been injured during the ongoing protests and almost 400 hospitalised.
On Thursday, the Collective Security Council (CSTO) sent peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to protect state and military facilities and assist law enforcement.