Update on Investigation into Kazakhstan’s Tragic January: Perpetrators Used Hybrid Attack Methods, Attempted Armed Seizure of Power

Nur-Sultan, 16 February 2022 – Yeldos Kilymzhanov, Deputy Head of the 1st Service of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan, and Sanjar 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. Adilov stated that the assault in January utilized “hybrid attack” methods. A well-thought-out plan included the organization of a peaceful rally in Almaty, and under its cover, the entry of combat groups into the city and the activation of “sleeper cells.” He added it had been an attempt at an armed seizure of power in the country, which is confirmed by simultaneous attacks and seizures of the Mayors’ and Governors’ offices and police buildings in many cities. According to Article 255 of the Criminal Code, such actions are qualified as acts of terrorism.

Mr. Kilymzhanov informed that to date, a total of 3,096 pre-trial investigations have been registered by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Most of the crimes are related to damage to property, hooliganism, and theft of weapons. An interdepartmental investigation team is investigating 181 cases of riots and acts of terrorism. 741 suspects are being held in custody including 42 who are members of banned extremist movements, while 35 are members of organized criminal groups. The speaker noted the state prosecutors have so far secured a release of 103 people from temporary detention centers due to lack of evidence of their involvement in the unrest. 

The representative of the Prosecutor General’s Office also stressed that ensuring the rights of the detained citizens remains a key priority. In this regard, the state prosecutors, in close cooperation with human rights organizations, are checking the conditions of the detainees daily. Representatives of the National Preventive Mechanism against torture and ill-treatment, collaborating with Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Ombudsperson Elvira Azimova, and public monitoring commissions have also been visiting and inspecting the detention institutions. He informed the state prosecutors’ offices have received 363 complaints about the alleged illegal actions of law enforcement agencies. The Anti-Corruption Service is processing 178 criminal cases on unlawful methods of investigation, while the special prosecutors are handling 8 further cases. Mr. Adilov added that 59 complaints on abuse of power by law enforcement officers have been assessed by the Ministy of Internal Affairs. Criminal cases have been opened in this regard, which have been transferred to the Anti-Corruption Service.

Representatives of the law enforcement agencies also informed that more than 3,000 weapons had been stolen during the unrest. A total of 967 pieces have now been recovered, which means more than 2,000 are still being searched for, including grenades, machine guns, rifles, pistols, and grenade launchers.

It was also announced that stolen goods and property of citizens and businesses, amounting to around 256,950 USD, have been returned. Items include cars, household appliances, jewelry, mobile phones, cash etc.