The Uzbek president announced that some had died in the riots
A state of emergency was declared in the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan after two nights of anti-government protests. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that some had died in the riots. This was reported by BNR.
The first protest broke out on Friday in the administrative center of the autonomous republic – the city of Nukus. The demonstration was unprecedented in its size for Karakalpakstan. There were protests last night as well, and the police dispersed the demonstrators with force.
Internet is limited in the area, but videos shared on the Telegram mobile app show many casualties as security forces disperse the demonstrators. Officially, the Uzbek authorities do not announce the death toll.
The state of emergency introduced today will be in effect for one month and its purpose is to guarantee the safety of citizens, protection of their rights and freedoms and the return of order and law, according to Mirziyoev’s office.
The town of Nukus was calm this morning, with police and military patrolling the streets. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has visited the autonomous region twice in an attempt to quell the crisis, which has seen thousands take to the streets in protest. Discontent led Mirziyoyev to freeze planned constitutional amendments that would have given Karakalpakstan less autonomy.
Clashes in the autonomous region are the biggest challenge for the 64-year-old Mirziyoyev, who in 2016 became the prime minister after the death of Islam Karimov.
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