President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev heard the first results of a comprehensive review of the state of affairs in the Ministry of Defence. Following the first stage of the review, 13 criminal cases were opened, and a pre-trial investigation is continuing into facts of criminal negligence on the part of the command staff.
WHAT THE REVIEW SHOWED
The Chair of the Commission for the Comprehensive Review of the State of Affairs in the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Chair of the Security Council Aida Balayeva, reported to the Head of State on the results of work in the main areas.
According to the preliminary results of the investigation, serious miscalculations were identified in the planning of military activities and insufficient oversight on the part of the former leadership. During the study of the circumstances of the tragedy in the Mangystau Region, shortcomings were established in the preparation and planning of exercises, risk assessment, the organisation of the airborne landing and ensuring the safety of servicemen.
Following the first stage of the review, the criminal prosecution bodies opened 13 criminal cases into facts of possible embezzlement of state property, official abuses and other violations in the activities of organisations and units of the Ministry of Defence.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
A pre-trial investigation is continuing into facts of criminal negligence on the part of the command staff. Five officials have been arrested. A final legal assessment of their actions will be given upon completion of the investigation.
The Commission also identified shortcomings in the sphere of military discipline and preventive work. Individual facts of hazing and the use of violence against servicemen have been established, and criminal cases have been opened in connection with them.
WHAT MEASURES TOKAYEV PROPOSED
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the Commission, together with the new leadership of the Ministry of Defence, to develop concrete proposals for eliminating the identified shortcomings.
The results of the review must be taken into account in preparing the Armed Forces Reform Plan. Special attention was instructed to be paid to strengthening military discipline, improving the safety of servicemen and creating proper conditions for military service.
The Head of State also emphasised the need for an objective conduct of the comprehensive review without detriment to the army's combat readiness and for strict observance in the Armed Forces of the constitutional principle of "Law and Order".
WHAT THE SUPREME AUDIT CHAMBER IS REVIEWING
In parallel, the Chair of the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC), Alikhan Smailov, reported to the President on the progress of an unscheduled audit of the effectiveness of the use of budget funds in the Ministry of Defence.
The review covers 50 sites, including 48 military units. The audit touches on logistical support, the training of personnel, military exercises, infrastructure, the modernisation of weapons and equipment, as well as digital systems.
Separately, Smailov presented the results of the completed audit of the state defence order. Based on its results, the Supreme Audit Chamber sent the Government and relevant state bodies 57 recommendations and instructions for eliminating the identified violations.
CONTEXT
Recall that on 24 September, during exercises on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the Mangystau Region, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea after a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds. As a result of the incident, 14 people died.
Later, five officials in the Ministry of Defence system were detained on suspicion of criminal offences related to negligent attitude to service and violation of navigation rules that led to grave consequences.
On 27 September, Dauran Kosanov was dismissed from the post of Minister of Defence. The new minister became Aidos Myrzakhmetov, who had previously commanded the Special Operations Forces.
On 3 and 5 October, the Head of State also made personnel appointments in the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, the State Security Service and the Presidential Administration.
