Update by Law Enforcement on Investigation into Kazakhstan’s Tragic January: Kazakhstan Faced Hybrid Attack by Criminal, Extremist Groups

Nur-Sultan, 7 February 2022 – Rizabek Ozharov, head of the Special Prosecutors Service of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan, and Sanzhar Adilov, head of the Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, provided today another update on the investigation into the tragic events in early January in Kazakhstan.

Mr. Ozharov outlined how the January unrest unfolded, explaining that while the protests were initially peaceful, criminally bent individuals and hooligan elements later joined the crowd. They carried out looting, damaged buildings, delivered and distributed stolen weapons, which were then used against security officers and civilians. All these coordinated actions, including armed seizure and attacks on administrative buildings, are officially regarded as acts of terrorism. Ozharov assured the ongoing investigation would provide answers on who organized the unrest in January. He emphasized Kazakhstan faced a “hybrid” attack with the involvement of armed members of organized crime and extremist groups. To date, 18 members of organized criminal groups have been detained.

The National Security Committee (KNB) is investigating criminal cases of state treason and attempted seizure of power. According to Ozharov, in the interests of national security, details of the criminal investigations cannot be disclosed.

“Officials from the KNB departments of the Almaty, as well as Almaty and Kyzylorda regions showed inaction. We are considering the version that some of the senior figures in law enforcement agencies deliberately blocked the actions of special units designed to protect law and order. Special prosecutors are conducting a pre-trial investigation of these facts. At the same time, the KNB is investigating criminal cases of high treason and attempted seizure of power. So far, the former chairman of the KNB and his two deputies have been taken into custody. The First Deputy Director of the KNB’s Service of Special Force “A” and the head of the centre of the mentioned service were detained on suspicion of abuse of power. The criminal case is classified as top secret, so for the sake of national security it is impossible to disclose the details of the investigation,” the speaker explained.

In turn, Mr. Adilov informed that 2,548 criminal cases are under investigation by officials of the internal affairs bodies. A total of 887 persons have been placed in temporary detention facilities, of which 789 have been arrested. Apprehended material evidence, CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence proves their culpability. 

Mr. Adilov further stressed that independent monitoring of the observance of the rights and conditions of the detainees has been ensured. Representatives of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and public monitoring commissions are enjoying unhindered access to all detention facilities. He once again reassured each complaint about abuse of power and excess of power is assessed by the internal security service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and special prosecutors.