Vice Defense Minister Addresses Protest by Mothers

At a briefing, Vice Minister of Defense Darkhan Akhmediyev commented on the recent protest held by mothers whose sons died while serving in the army, Orda.kz reports.

He stated that the results of additional investigations ordered by President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev will be announced on November 23.

Akhmediyev did not provide details but emphasized that the state understands the families’ grief and continues to offer them support.

We want you not to separate us from the parents of the soldiers. As if they're attacking us, and we're defending ourselves. No, we're on the same side. None of us wants to allow any incidents to happen,
 said Akhmediyev.

He also referred to several recent incidents, including the case of soldier Ulan Musayev, who was shot in the temple — a case initially classified as a suicide attempt.

According to the vice minister, the government continues to work with families who dispute the findings of investigations and has pledged improvements in military service conditions.

As a reminder, the November 10 protest outside Entrance 16 of the House of Ministries, where citizens submit petitions to the Presidential Administration, was held by mothers demanding fair investigations into their sons’ deaths.

Some of the women reportedly lost consciousness and suffered from cold during the seven-hour demonstration before law enforcement detained them and took them to a police station.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov