In Kazakhstan, dozens of protesters were killed, along with 12 police officers

Authorities in Kazakhstan reported Thursday that dozens of demonstrators were slain in attacks on government facilities, and at least a dozen officers died, including one who was found beheaded.

Attempts to storm buildings in Almaty were made overnight, and "dozens of attackers were liquidated," according to police spokeswoman Saltanat Azirbek. She spoke on Khabar-24, a state-run news channel. The claimed efforts to storm the buildings followed severe turmoil in the city on Wednesday, which included the seizure and subsequent fire of the mayor's building.

In addition to the 12 officers murdered, state news channel Khabar-24 cited the city commandant's office as reporting that another 353 officers were injured.

Kazakhstan is experiencing the worst street protests it has witnessed in the three decades since it gained independence. Buildings belonging to the government have been set on fire.

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation, which is chaired by Russia, announced early Thursday that it would send peacekeeper soldiers to Kazakhstan at the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Kazakhstan has been shaken by escalating protests over a dramatic increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas fuel, which began on Sunday. Protests began in the country's west, but quickly extended to Almaty and Nur-Sultan, the capital.