President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has given the green light for armed forces to “shoot to kill” anyone who is caught participating in protests.

During a televised press conference on Friday, Tokayev announced that he was allowing law enforcement officers to shoot to kill the “terrorists,” “bandits,” and “militants” who were protesting without warning them of incoming fire, the Associated Press reported. Tokayev also dismissed the option of negotiating with protesters.