In the wake of the protests in Kazakhstan, 467 people were arrested on suspicion of organizing and participating in mass riots and committing terrorist attacks, Kommersant reports with reference to the republic’s Prosecutor General’s Office.
Two high-ranking employees of the National Security Committee were arrested: they are suspected of abuse of office. The case has been classified as “top secret,” Rizabek Ozharov, head of the Special Prosecutors’ Service, told Tengrinews.kz. It is known that the defendants in the case are the first deputy director of the special purpose service “A” of the KNB Anuar Sadykulov and the head of the center of the KNB.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, 1,500 weapons fell into the hands of the thugs. According to the department, the police officers left the building where the weapons and ammunition were located, writes Tengrinews.kz.
“We are considering the version that some leaders of law enforcement agencies deliberately blocked the actions of special forces designed to ensure law and order,” the department said.
Among other arrested, the department names 18 members of the organized criminal group. According to the agency, crime boss Arman Dzhumageldiev, known as Wild Arman, kidnapped local residents and forced them to participate in protests. Prosecutors also reported on 35 detained members of extremist movements, including the banned opposition organization Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, led by banker Mukhtar Ablyazov, who lives abroad.
