Head of National Security Committee on terrorist attacks and radical religious ideology
Chairman of the National Security Committee (NSC) of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Sagimbayev in an interview with Kazinform News Agency told about measures to prevent terrorist attacks.
Sagimbayev noted that radical religious ideology poses a serious threat to Kazakhstan, recalling a series of terrorist attacks that took place in 2011-2012 and 2016.
"This year, 32 persons have been convicted of terrorist offenses on the basis of materials from the national security agencies, and 23 others have been detained and are under investigation. About 170 foreigners from among religious radicals were prevented from entering the country. In addition, the NSC, as an authorized body in this area, has implemented a number of measures with the assistance of law enforcement agencies and other government bodies. Since the beginning of the year, the NSC's Anti-Terrorist Center Headquarters has organized more than 300 different exercises, seminars and inspections of places of mass gathering," says the NSC chairman.
Sagimbayev stressed the important role played by religious and non-governmental organizations in working with the population in conjunction with the state. He added that Kazakhstan's experience in re-convincing and re-socialization of former extremists is recognized as the best in the world and highly appreciated by international organizations, including the UN, noting that there are cases when radicals who abandoned their former ideas after conversations with theologians and imams became volunteers.
The head of the NSC described the prevention of a recent terrorist attack in Aktau. Operational development revealed a resident of the city, an adherent of a radical religious ideology with a murder conviction, who, under the influence of foreign militant propaganda on the Internet, was planning an explosion in a government building. During a search of his home, 4 containers with ready-made explosives and other evidence confirming preparations for a terrorist attack were found.
Sagimbayev also noted that Kazakhstan closely cooperates with foreign partners in the fight against terrorism on a bilateral and multilateral basis, including participation in the CIS Anti-Terrorist Center and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure. He emphasized that the threat of terrorism remains relevant both in the world and in Kazakhstan, noting the importance of information exchange with foreign intelligence services in the fight against terrorism.
For example, as a result of international cooperation, a terrorist attack abroad was recently prevented after receiving data from the NSC and promptly informing foreign services.
"NSC operatives received primary data on the planned action. The relevant services of the foreign state were immediately informed. The materials were confirmed during the joint inspection, and the action was warned," says the NSC Chairman.
