Kazakhstan detains director of gas plant

The director of a natural gas processing plant in the Zhanaozen city of Kazakhstan's Mangystau region has been detained, Report informs, via zakon.kz.

The head of the liquefied gas e-commerce department has also been detained.

According to reports, the plant director raised the price of natural gas for no apparent reason.

Protests have been held in the Mangystau region since January 2. Residents protested against the sharp rise in liquefied gas prices. The cost of liquefied gas in Kazakhstan was raised from 60 tenges ($0.13) to 120 tenges ($0.27).

Protests continue in Mangystau, although the government has reduced the price of liquefied natural gas to 50 tenges ($0.11) per liter.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared a state of emergency in the region until January 19.