The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova has issued a travel advisory for Kazakhstan. The citizens of the Republic of Moldova are asked to avoid travelling to this country given the state of emergency declared in Nur-Sultan city and in the regions of Almaty and Mangistau of the Republic of Kazakhstan for January 5 – 19, 2022, IPN reports.

The Moldovans who are in Kazakhstan are recommended to avoid rallies.

If need be, the compatriots who experience difficulties should urgently call the emergency hotline of Moldova’s Embassy in Moscow that also covers Kazakhstan on +7 929 964 9079 or through the email address moscova@mfa.gov.md.

According to the Ministry’s estimates, over 21,000 Moldovans live in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Protests have raged in several cities in Kazakhstan since January 2, following a surge in fuel prices in this country. Security forces have struggled to quell the crowds, who have begun storming public offices and setting fire to buildings. Now, the epicenter of the protests is in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, where people have been gathering for three days. Police attempted to control crowds with teargas, stun grenades and blockades.