OMM Redaksiyası
Kazakhstan has detained former Navy commander Kanat Niyazbekov, who is accused of negligence in connection with the deaths of 14 service members during military exercises in the Caspian Sea in September.
TASS, citing law enforcement agencies, reported that Niyazbekov had been arrested. Kazinform, citing the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, also reported that he had been detained.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Niyazbekov on Oct. 3 over the incident. On Sept. 24, 19 service members were swept out to sea after leaving a patrol boat in adverse weather; some were rescued.
A day after the incident, five Defense Ministry officials, including Navy First Deputy Commander Daniyar Khairushev, were detained. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said they were suspected of negligence and violating navigation rules.
The “Khazar Qorgany 2026” naval exercises began on Sept. 22 in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, with more than 500 service members taking part.
Tokayev ordered a comprehensive inspection of the Defense Ministry and declared a day of national mourning. He called for the causes of the incident and the grounds for the decision to hold the exercises to be established. Prime Minister Oljas Bektenov ordered the creation of a government commission to investigate the deaths.
Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov was dismissed on Sept. 27. First Deputy Defense Minister Kanysh Abubakirov and Chief of the General Staff Almaz Jumakeyev were also removed from their posts on Oct. 3.
