Kazakhstan"s Security Forces Thwarted Four Terror Plots This Year

Sagimbayev claimed that the NSC and the Interior Ministry eliminated 19 organized crime groups, arresting 60 persons during the reporting period.

Photo source: liter.kz

Since the beginning of 2024, Kazakhstan’s security forces have foiled four terror plots, convicting 84 persons of terrorism and arresting 44 persons.

The announcement was made by Chairman of the National Security Committee Yermek Sagimbayev during a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

According to him, six Kazakhstani nations, wanted on suspicion of committing crimes of a terrorist nature, were extradited from Syria and Türkiye, of whom two were convicted. The NSC intercepted entry attempts by 824 foreigners, involved in terrorism and extremism.

Sagimbayev claimed that the NSC and the Interior Ministry eliminated 19 organized crime groups, arresting 60 persons. 505 fire arms, five self-made explosive devices, 45 package bombs and 15,046 of ammunition were seized.

33 drug labs, 35 international and 31 regional drug trafficking channels were liquidated. A total of 3.2 tons of drugs and psychotropic substances, 4.5 tons of poppy straw as well as 18.8 tons of precursors were seized. 162 persons were convicted of illegal drug and psychotropic substances trafficking.

The NSC chairman informed that as part of the work to ensure economic security and counter systemic corruption, it was possible to avoid over 1.6 trillion tenge worth of losses to the state, with 315 billion tenge returned to the state budget. 46 persons were sentenced for corruption and corruption-related crimes.

Nearly 55,000 violators of the state border were detained. The NSC foiled up to 1,300 attempts to smuggle weapons, ammunition, drugs and other prohibited items. Illegal movement of currency to the tune of 18 billion tenge and goods for 66 billion tenge was prevented. 20 channels of illegal migration were eliminated.

The NSC stopped 552 million cyberattacks and 6,000 DDoS attacks on information systems of government bodies.

In conclusion, the Head of State gave a number of instructions regarding the NSC bodies’ activities.