Kazakhstan protests - in pictures

Riot police officers patrol the streets of Almaty, Kazakhstan, during a rally about a sharp rise in energy prices. EPA
Riot police officers patrol the streets of Almaty, Kazakhstan, during a rally about a sharp rise in energy prices. EPA
Protests sparked by the increase have swept across the ex-Soviet country since New Year, a rare challenge to its authoritarian government. AFP
Protests sparked by the increase have swept across the ex-Soviet country since New Year, a rare challenge to its authoritarian government. AFP
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared a state of emergency in Almaty, the country’s largest city, until January 19. EPA
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared a state of emergency in Almaty, the country’s largest city, until January 19. EPA
Protesters stand outside the Almaty mayor’s office building during a rally. AFP
Protesters stand outside the Almaty mayor’s office building during a rally. AFP
Demonstrators storm the building. EPA
Demonstrators storm the building. EPA
Protesters attempt to break into the presidential residence. EPA
Protesters attempt to break into the presidential residence. EPA
Kazakh law enforcement officers block a street. Reuters
Kazakh law enforcement officers block a street. Reuters
A police barricade near the mayor’s office. Reuters
A police barricade near the mayor’s office. Reuters
Damaged police vans are parked in front of the building. Reuters
Damaged police vans are parked in front of the building. Reuters
A Kazakh police officer sits inside a police van. Reuters
A Kazakh police officer sits inside a police van. Reuters
Demonstrators have denounced the doubling of the price of liquefied gas. AP
Demonstrators have denounced the doubling of the price of liquefied gas. AP
Protests have been held in about a dozen other Kazakh cities. AP
Protests have been held in about a dozen other Kazakh cities. AP
Police officers detain a demonstrator. AP
Police officers detain a demonstrator. AP
A police car burns during a protest. Reuters
A police car burns during a protest. Reuters
Protesters wave flags during a rally in Almaty. AFP
Protesters wave flags during a rally in Almaty. AFP
Police fire tear gas and stun grenades to break up an unprecedented thousands-strong march in the city, Kazakhstan’s former capital. AFP
Police fire tear gas and stun grenades to break up an unprecedented thousands-strong march in the city, Kazakhstan’s former capital. AFP
Demonstrators try to block a police vehicle. AP
Demonstrators try to block a police vehicle. AP
The demonstrations began this week in western Kazakhstan and have spread through the country. AFP
The demonstrations began this week in western Kazakhstan and have spread through the country. AFP
Some demonstrators have chanted slogans against Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. AFP
Some demonstrators have chanted slogans against Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. AFP
People use torches during a protest in Almaty. Reuters
People use torches during a protest in Almaty. Reuters