In Kazakhstan, 13 criminal cases have been opened following the deaths of military personnel during exercises

In Kazakhstan, 13 criminal cases have been initiated following the deaths of military personnel during exercises

A commission conducting a comprehensive review of the state of affairs in the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan has uncovered violations in the planning of exercises on the Caspian Sea, where 14 servicemen died. This was reported by the press service of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, following a meeting with commission members.

"Preliminary results of the investigation indicate serious miscalculations in the planning of military events and a lack of proper control on the part of the former leadership," the statement said.

Based on the results of the first stage of the review, 13 criminal cases have been initiated regarding potential embezzlement of state property, abuse of office, and other violations in the operations of organizations and units of the Ministry of Defense.

The pre-trial investigation into criminal negligence by the commanding staff is ongoing, and five officials have been arrested. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev demanded that all those responsible be held accountable and placed the matter under his personal control.

The Supreme Audit Chamber of Kazakhstan is also conducting an audit of 50 Ministry of Defense facilities, including 48 military units. The audit will assess the state of affairs in all key areas of the Armed Forces' activities, the statement noted.