Military deaths in Kazakhstan: 13 criminal cases opened
Violations were found in the planning of the exercises in the Caspian Sea, in which 14 military personnel died.
Following the results of the preliminary stage of the comprehensive inspection at the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan, 13 criminal cases were initiated. The inspection began after 14 servicemembers died during military exercises in the Caspian Sea.
On October 5, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, held a meeting with members of the commission for the comprehensive inspection of the situation at the Ministry of Defense. The preliminary results of the inspection were presented at the meeting.
It was reported that the inspection revealed serious errors in the planning of military activities and insufficient control established by the previous leadership. The inspection conducted regarding the tragedy in the Caspian Sea identified serious deficiencies in the preparation and planning of exercises, risk assessment, organization of landing operations, and ensuring the safety of servicemembers. According to the results of the first stage of the inspection, 13 criminal cases have been initiated in the organizations and units of the Ministry of Defense regarding the possible embezzlement of state property, abuse of official powers, and other violations of the law.
Additionally, a pre-trial investigation is ongoing regarding possible criminal negligence by the command staff. Within the framework of this case, 5 officials have been detained. Tokayev emphasized that officials guilty of the circumstances that led to the deaths of servicemembers must be held accountable within the framework of the law, and he has taken the matter under his personal control.
Furthermore, the Supreme Audit Chamber of Kazakhstan is conducting an inspection at 50 facilities belonging to the Ministry of Defense, including 48 military units. Within the framework of the audit, the situation in the main areas of the Armed Forces' activities will be assessed.
The tragedy occurred on September 24 during training exercises of the Naval Forces of Kazakhstan in the Mangystau region. Unfavorable weather and strong winds caused 17 servicemembers to be swept into the Caspian Sea. Three of them were rescued, and 14 died.
The commission's inspection is ongoing. It has been established that new proposals will be developed to eliminate the identified deficiencies, and the results of the inspection will be taken into account in the plan for reforming the Armed Forces.
