"Our Sons Were Killed in Peacetime": Grieving Parents Demanded Justice in Astana

On Defender of the Fatherland Day, May 7, parents of soldiers who died while serving in Kazakhstan's army held a protest in Astana, calling for justice and accountability, Orda.kz reports.

The small rally took place near Bauyrzhan Momyshuly Park, where four parents, whose sons died during peacetime military service, demanded punishment for those they believe are responsible.

We are the parents of soldiers who died while serving in the Kazakh Armed Forces. We came to Astana on Defender of the Fatherland Day. Our children joined the army to protect their country, but they were killed in peacetime. The officers and officials responsible must be held accountable. We demand justice,said Saule Tleubergenova, whose son died in the National Guard barracks in Astana. 

The grieving families say they have expert evidence indicating their sons were murdered inside military units.

However, they claim military investigators have repeatedly closed the cases, classifying the deaths as suicides.

Parents traveled from Kokshetau and Almaty to join the protest; families of two servicemen from Astana joined them.

Orda.kz has previously reported on similar cases of soldier deaths during peacetime. One high-profile case — the killing of a conscript in Mangystau — was tried publicly in a rare open military court session.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya