Violent unrest that began with peaceful demonstrations against the hike in fuel prices in Kazakhstan has left 225 people dead, the Public Prosecution announced on Saturday.

"During the state of emergency, the mortuary received 225 bodies of people, including 19 law enforcement and military personnel," Serik Shelbayev, representative of the Public Prosecution Office told reporters.

About 8,000 people were arrested in the violent unrest, which was sparked by a hike in fuel prices on Jan. 2. 

The protests in the following days in Almaty turned into disorder and chaotic riots, which saw shootings, vandalism of official buildings and looting of shops.

These unrest, the worst since Kazakhstan 's independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union 30 years ago, prompted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to request military support from the Moscow-led Collective Security Organization.

Russia has deployed forces in this Central Asian country as part of a multinational force from the former Soviet republics.