Vice-President of Kazakhstan Yerlan Karin spoke about the decisions taken by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after the death of 14 servicemen during exercises in the Mangystau Region. These include the appointment of a new defence minister, a comprehensive audit of the ministry and the preparation of an army reform plan.
WHAT MEASURES THE PRESIDENT TOOK
As Yerlan Karin reported in his Telegram channel, the Head of State took under his personal control the issues of assistance to the injured, an objective investigation and the adoption of systemic measures aimed at preventing such tragedies.
On the President's instructions, a government commission was formed and travelled to the scene. The families of the deceased and the injured servicemen were instructed to be given all necessary assistance.
WHAT CHANGES WILL AFFECT THE ARMY
The President appointed a new defence minister and created a commission for a comprehensive audit of the state of affairs in the Ministry of Defence. The first report on the results of the audit of the financial and logistical support of military units must be submitted within seven days.
In addition, the Head of State instructed that a special army reform plan be prepared within ten days.
"The main task of the reform is to form an army of a new type, where the safety and life of servicemen remains an unconditional priority," Karin noted.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
Law enforcement agencies continue the pre-trial investigation into the circumstances and causes of the tragedy. A number of officials of the Ministry of Defence have been detained as suspects. The investigation is under the special supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
All 14 servicemen who died during the exercises were posthumously awarded the Order of "Aibyn". The President also declared 25 September a day of national mourning and sent telegrams of condolence to the families of the deceased.
HOW THE COLLECTION OF ASSISTANCE WAS ORGANISED
To support the families of the deceased, a special fund was established, ensuring an open and accountable collection of funds. A public commission was also created, headed by a member of the Qazaqstan Khalyk Keñesi, Bekmurat Zhusupov. Its task is to ensure the transparent distribution of charitable assistance.
"The public will continue to be informed promptly and openly about all measures taken. Most importantly, the state is not merely reacting quickly, but is also adopting systemic and comprehensive decisions aimed at eliminating the root causes of what happened," Karin emphasised.
