Kazakhstan's Tokayev dismisses defence minister after 14 die during naval exercise
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev named Aidos Myrzakhmetov as replacement in a decree.
Sept 27 — Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has removed 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, formerly commander of the special operations forces, has been named as Kosanov's replacement in a separate decree. Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry said on Friday that authorities detained five Defence Ministry officials, including the first deputy navy commander, after the incident. The episode took place on Thursday as military personnel were disembarking from a patrol boat on the Caspian Sea coast in rough weather.
Three other people were rescued from the sea.