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More Arrests Linked to February Ethnic Violence in Kazakhstan

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More Arrests Linked to February Ethnic Violence in Kazakhstan

Kazakh authorities say 25 have been arrested in connection to deadly violence targeting the Dungan community in February.

More Arrests Linked to February Ethnic Violence in Kazakhstan

A local resident sits in a yard of her burnt house after the conflict in Shor-Tube, near the border with Kazakhstan, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, a large population of Dungan, who are Muslims of Chinese ancestry.

Credit: AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin

On Friday, March 27 Kazakh authorities announced the arrest of 25 people in connection to deadly clashes that took place in early February. 

The violence in villages near the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border that targeted Dungan communities resulted in 11 deaths and nearly 200 injuries had an unclear spark. The government characterized the origin of the violence as a road-rage incident, meanwhile locals suggested the violence was a backlash to rumors that Dungans had assaulted a Kazakh man and underlying interethnic tensions. More recent statements from Kazakh officials suggest that both iterations have some truth, combined with the spread online of videos of at least two road incidents and “criminal elements” promoting “social discord.”

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