Jesus Did Know. 

While carrying out his civic duty of voting during the snap elections on November 20, the former Kazakh president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, made a peculiar allusion regarding a man formerly thought to be one of his closest allies, Karim Massimov. 

Vlast’s journalist asked the former president what he thought about the ongoing investigation into Massimov’s alleged coup attempt. 

“Massimov has worked with me for many years. But did Jesus Christ know that Judas, sitting next to him, was a traitor? We are not gods, so we will wait for the end of the trial. Then we will know everything," Nazarbayev.

Nazarbayev is not mistaken in his logic considering the classification of Massimov’s case. Local authorities have qualified it as “classified”.

Turn The Other Cheek

Massimov headed the formidable Kazakh national security forces (KNB) from 2016-2022. Although the recent unrest last January is still very much shrouded in mystery, Karim is reportedly the main conspirator in the alleged attempt at overthrowing the government. 

The unrest initially started in Western Kazakhstan after a rise in fuel prices on January 2. Full-scale protests began on January 3-4. Massimov headed the KNB for almost 2 days after the onset of the unrest. He was dismissed on January 6 and then subsequently arrested on January 8. Yermek Sagimbayev later took his place. Yermek was the former Head of the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan (not to be confused with the KNB).

Investigations into the January Events on all levels are ongoing. President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev later announced that those who didn’t commit more serious offences would be granted amnesty.

Break Bread.

Before becoming the head of the local National Security Council (KNB), Karim held positions such as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Budget Planning, Prime Minister, and head of Nazarbayev’s Presidential Administration. 

Massimov, along with attempting to forcibly seize power, has been accused of abusing his official authority and corruption crimes. In particular, he is suspected of receiving bribes from representatives of a foreign state under one of the closed contracts.

Massimov’s Former deputy heads of the KNB – Anuar Sadykulov, Marat Osipov and Daulet Yergozhin are also in custody. Samat Abish, Nazarbayev’s nephew and Massimov's first deputy, remained free but fell into "the orbit of the investigation".

Massimov’s cousin, the former head of the police department of the Pavlodar region, Nurlan Kasimov was relieved of his duties on 15 January. He would later be detained trying to cross the border into Russia on 13 June. Not much is known about his case aside from the fact that he reportedly took a bribe (148.5 million KZT).

The two heads of security forces taking their lives after the January Events is also a noteworthy point. Zhanat Suleimenov, the head of the Zhambyl region police department, ordered his subordinates not to open fire on the rioters and to leave the Police Department building. Rioters would then seize weapons from the department. KNB General Azamat Ibrayev shadowed Karim Massimov since the mid-nineties.

Someone I Eat With Daily

The Commission on Combating Illegal Concentration of Economic Resources would later announce the return of illicit funds to Kazakhstan. Reportedly, Karim Massimov received these funds ($3 million) as a bribe.

Photos of Karim’s seized assets would also make the rounds in Kazakh media. Karim was not left on his own though. 

A site defending his honour would be launched, the UN would call for his release, and even Lord Pannick would initiate a petition for Karim’s release. Pannick represents cases before the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the House of Lords Appeal Committee, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.

Patience Is a Virtue

At this point, there’s no telling whether or not the accusations against Massimov are grounded or not. Those who know the truth will keep it sealed for as long as they can. 

However, one conclusion is plausible. Godlike heights can be reached, but the fall from Olympus is a long way down.