Information about compensation paid to the families of servicemen killed during military exercises in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region, as well as the recipients’ personal data, will remain confidential at the request of their relatives.

Bekmurat Zhusupov, a member of the Kazakhstan People’s Council and chairman of the Mangystau Regional Public Council, said the decision was made to protect the families’ privacy and security, Lada.kz reports.

“At the request of the servicemen’s relatives and to ensure their security and privacy, information about the specific amounts of compensation and the recipients’ personal data will not be disclosed. We ask for your understanding of the decision made by the families. The commission has completed its work. All funds received have been distributed in accordance with established procedures, and the relevant decisions have been formally documented. Thank you for your trust and understanding,” Zhusupov said in his statement.

Zhusupov emphasized that all funds received by the compensation fund had been distributed fairly and evenly among the families of the servicemen who died.

“The commission ensured strict oversight at every stage, from the receipt of funds into the fund’s account to their transfer to the recipients,” he emphasized.

The tragedy occurred on September 24 during military exercises near the Caspian Sea coast in Mangystau Region. Seventeen servicemen were swept into the sea while disembarking from the Qaisar boat. Three were rescued, while 14 died.

Following the incident, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense conducted a comprehensive inspection. The findings pointed to significant shortcomings in the preparation and planning of the exercises, risk assessment, the organization of the landing operation and measures to ensure servicemen’s safety.

During the first stage of the inspection, 13 criminal cases were opened and five officials were arrested.

On October 3, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Kanat Niyazbekov as commander-in-chief of the country’s Naval Forces. Two other senior Defense Ministry officials also lost their positions.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing. A final legal assessment of the actions of all those involved will be made once it is completed.