Kazakhstan's Tokayev dismisses defence minister after 14 die during naval exercise

RAMIL SITDIKOV / POOL / AFP

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed Defence Minister Dauren Kosanov, according to a presidential decree, several days after 14 servicemen were swept out to sea and died during a training exercise.

 

Aidos Myrzakhmetov, previously commander of the special operations forces, has been appointed as his replacement, according to another decree.

On Friday, Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry said authorities arrested five Defence Ministry officials, including the first deputy navy commander.

The incident happened on Thursday when military personnel were disembarking from a patrol boat on the Caspian Sea coast in rough weather. Three other people were rescued from the sea.

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