Tokayev dismisses Kazakhstan's defense minister after the deaths of 14 servicemen
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed Dauren Kosanov from the post of defense minister.
The decision was made several days after the tragedy during military exercises in the Mangystau region.
On September 24, due to a sharp deterioration in the weather, strong winds and waves, 17 servicemen were swept out into the open sea. Three were rescued, and 14 people died.
The investigation is establishing the circumstances of what happened, including determining why the exercises were not halted in the unfavorable weather conditions.
After the tragedy, five servicemen holding command positions were detained. Among them are the chief of staff and first deputy commander-in-chief of the Naval Forces, the commanders of two military units, the commander of a marine infantry company and the commander of a boat.
The investigation is being conducted under articles related to improper performance of military service duties and violation of ship navigation rules that entailed grave consequences.
Dauren Kosanov was reappointed to the post of defense minister of Kazakhstan on September 3.
