THE KNB OF KAZAKHSTAN TALKED ABOUT A JOINT SPECIAL OPERATION WITH THE FSB OF RUSSIA

On January 3, 2023, the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan (KNB) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, together with the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, held a joint special operation in the city of Baikonur against a “organized criminal group presenting danger to the society”, which included citizens of Kazakhstan and Russia. The press service of the KNB reported this on January 4. Members of the group were detained simultaneously in the cities of Astana, Kyzylorda and Konaev.

“In total, 18 leaders and active members of the organized criminal group were detained during the special operation. Firearms, cash and other materials of interest to the investigation were seized at their places of residence, the press service writes. The suspects were involved in kidnappings, extortion, armed robbery and theft. For a long time, these criminals were making a negative impact on the criminal situation in the city of Baikonur and the Kyzylorda region. Their trademark was outstanding cruelty with which they committed grave crimes.”

The KNB writes that in September 2022, during an armed quarrel between the group’s members, a bystander was shot who died at the scene.

“The special operation was preceded by many months of preparation, when the special services, in agreement with the prosecutor's office, carried out a set of investigative and technical measures. At present, as pre-trial investigation is going on, it is being clarified whether the detainees were involved in other crimes, and investigative actions are being carried out in due manner,” the KNB concludes.