Through the weekend of 1–2 July 2022, Mirziyoyev visited Karakalpakstan twice,[1] and publicly castigated Karakalpak pro-government figures for not telling him about public opposition to the laws beforehand.[1] Following a 4 July meeting with Karakalpak deputies, he claimed that the leaders of the protests had attempted to take control of local government buildings in order to obtain weaponry, also saying, "Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, these men attacked law enforcement officers, severely beating them and inflicting severe injuries."[27] According to Mirziyoyev, he held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel in which an independent investigation into the unrest was discussed. He once again blamed "criminal gangs" for violence.[1]