Shymkent Official Comments on Deputy Akim Shooting, Dismisses Motive Rumors

Two days after the armed attack on Deputy Akim of Shymkent Ruslan Berdenov, the city administration has broken its silence, reports Orda.kz.

Akimat representative Sarsen Kuranbek explained the delay by saying officials did not want to interfere with the ongoing investigation. He also commented on possible motives behind the incident.

At a briefing held today, Shymkent authorities shared initial details of the assassination attempt. Kuranbek described what happened that day and how Akim Gabit Syzdykbaev responded to the situation.

When it happened, the city Akim and we, his deputies, were at work. Upon hearing about the incident, we all ran out into the street, immediately called the police, an ambulance, and did everything so that Ruslan Berdenov was quickly taken to the hospital. We all waited in the hospital while the operation was underway and kept the whole situation under control,
Kuranbek said.

He confirmed that the suspect was detained on the spot and that the investigation is proceeding under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office.

Kuranbek added that no facts support media speculation about the motives:

There are currently different versions of the reasons for the attack being voiced. But we know that none of them correspond to reality. Who knows why this happened?! Maybe the person was in an abnormal psycho-emotional state. Or maybe he was under the influence of psychotropic substances. We don't know for sure. It's too early to talk about anything specific now,
 he said.

Surveillance footage from cameras around the Akimat building captured the suspect exiting a vehicle and opening fire on Berdenov. Officials noted that the police acted quickly and in coordination.

While Berdenov recovers, his responsibilities will be temporarily handled by Deputy Akim Kuanysh Asylov.

Kuranbek concluded by stating that from now on, any updates related to the investigation would come solely from the police.

The armed attack on Ruslan Berdenov happened on April 21. 

Original Author: Aliya Askarova