CNN has been unable to verify the government's claims.

"Peacekeeping" forces from member states of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have fully deployed to Kazakhstan and are now completely operational within the country, CSTO commander general Andrey Serdyukov told a news briefing on Sunday.

Serdyukov said the forces are "performing tasks to protect important military, state and socially significant facilities in the city of Almaty and adjacent area," and will remain in the country until the situation is "fully stabilized."

High-profile officials, including the country's former head of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee Karim Massimov, have been detained on suspicion of treason, state media reports.

The country's central bank has also temporarily suspended currency exchanges in what it says is needed for both the exchangers themselves and their employees and customers, Khabar 24 reported.

The banking system will be restored in stages depending on the priority of social significance of services for the population and business, Khabar 24 also reported. The payment system for loans, pensions, allowances and salaries will is expected to resume working as usual throughout the country from Monday.

The European Union has made clear it "strongly condemns" the widespread acts of violence in Kazakhstan and outside military support "should respect the sovereignty and independence" of the country, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on Saturday.

"We deeply regret the loss of life and strongly condemn the widespread acts of violence," he said.

"Outside military support should respect the sovereignty and independence of Kazakhstan as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens," he added.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has prayed for the victims of the violent protests seen in recent days in Kazakhstan, he said Sunday after his weekly Angelus prayer.