Kazakhstan: Former Foreign Intelligence Service Head May Have Received New Position

The former head of Kazakhstan's foreign intelligence service, Askar Amerkhanov, dismissed in mid-September of this year, may have received a new position in the security forces, according to sources of "Respublika," Orda.kz reports.

Respublika's sources report that Askar Amerkhanov will allegedly be appointed (or has already been appointed) as the head of the inspection of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan. 

This is an important and influential position within Kazakhstan's main intelligence agency, notes "Respublika" 

On September 16, 2024, Qasym-Jomart Toqayev signed a decree dismissing Askar Amerkhanov.

At that time, he was then the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

The reason for his departure was not given.

Amerkhanov began his career in 1995. From 2004 to 2022, he served in senior positions in national security agencies.

As of January 2022, he had been Deputy Chair of the National Security Committee. In April 2023, he also headed the Foreign Intelligence Service.

He has appeared in the media several times. In particular, Amerkhanov commented on the case of Samat Abish, the nephew of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

He also spoke about Karim Massimov, stating that he does not consider himself part of the team of the former head of the Committee, convicted of treason.

Teams are not important for me, I work for the state Amerkhanov emphasized in 2022 in a conversation with journalists.

Original Author: Rimma Karatayeva