MADRID, Dec. 6 (.) –
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Mongolia to protest for the third day in a row against the government and corruption in the coal industry after thousands of tons of the fuel were stolen.
The protesters, who have gathered in front of the Mongolian Parliament headquarters in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, have staged a series of clashes with police officers.
Security forces have reported that at least two people have been arrested after protesters set fire to a Christmas tree in Sujbaatar Square, according to information from the Onoodor newspaper.
The population began to protest for the first time on Sunday at the residence of the country’s president, Ujnaa Jurelsuj, to demand that those responsible for corruption in the coal industry be brought to justice. They have also demanded the resignation or dismissal of the members of the Government investigated for stealing large sums of this mineral.
Currently, the authorities are investigating the theft of 385,000 tons of coal, as explained by the Government. In total, fifteen senior officials are being investigated for their involvement in the alleged crime.
Among the defendants are the former directors of the country’s state railway company, as well as the head of customs and the head of the Department of Border Protection. The country has been severely affected by the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the slowdown in economic growth in China.
