Kazakhstan's MFA Urges Caution Amid Istanbul Protests

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging citizens to avoid travel to Istanbul amid mass protests temporarily, Orda.kz reports.

Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin assured that no Kazakhstanis have been harmed in the unrest in Türkiye. Students and tourists have been advised to avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

The most important thing is that there have been no casualties. The MFA and our embassy in Ankara are monitoring the situation. We also have consulates general in Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya,said Rakhmetullin. 

He noted that it’s difficult to give an exact number of Kazakh nationals currently in Türkiye, as they include tourists, students, and residents registered at consulates. However, he emphasized that travel to Istanbul is not recommended at this time.

Precaution is definitely needed. I wouldn’t say you must not go at all, but if you ask my personal opinion — not the ministry’s — I would probably hold off. I’ve read about people stuck in the middle of the unrest, dragging their suitcases for two kilometers and unable to leave due to strikes and protests,Rakhmetullin added. 

At the same time, the deputy minister confirmed that no Kazakh citizens have requested emergency evacuation.

Protests have erupted across Türkiye following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and leading opposition figure Ekrem İmamoğlu. Demonstrationshave occurred in at least 55 out of Türkiye’s 81 provinces — more than two-thirds of the country.

The primary demand from protestors is for the government to acknowledge what they view as an unjust decision. Despite his arrest, İmamoğlu was officially nominated on Monday as the presidential candidate for the Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the 2028 elections.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova