What We Know So Far About the Arrest of Kazakh Military Attaché's Assistant in Poland

The arrest of Assistant of the Military Attaché Anuar Bakibay in Poland has drawn significant attention both in Kazakhstan and abroad. He is accused by Polish authorities of spying for Russia. 

Orda.kz summarizes what is known at this stage.

Bakibay was detained in Bydgoszcz.

Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) says he was a career intelligence officer working under diplomatic cover and gathering information that threatened Polish security and NATO military structures.

Rumors Emerge

Sources suggest Kazakhstan’s security services may have tried to leverage the case. After Bakibay’s arrest, rumors emerged that the KNB had floated the idea of using him in an unofficial “exchange” for political prisoners detained in Kazakhstan.

There were attempts to include a Kazakh citizen detained for espionage in unofficial negotiations about the return or pardon of political prisoners. Human rights groups called this ‘human bargaining for intelligence purposes.’ Foreign outlets report:

This arrest is direct evidence of what we have been saying for years: Kazakhstan’s intelligence agencies remain systematically tied to the Kremlin,
 the letter said.

Activists urged the EU not to cooperate with Astana on the case until Kazakhstan releases political prisoners, and called for considering sanctions on the KNB leadership.

Official Responses

Orda.kz sent inquiries to the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Security Committee.

The Defense Ministry confirmed that Bakibay is serving in Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces but declined to give details, citing “restricted information.”

Work continues with the foreign side to resolve the situation and ensure the protection of the citizen’s rights,
 the ministry said.

In accordance with the provisions of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Warsaw maintains constant contact with the competent authorities of the Republic of Poland. Kazakhstan consistently advocates for constructive interaction and the development of mutually respectful relations with all foreign partners.

The Other Side

Meanwhile, the outlet BӘSE published an investigation titled “How Intelligence Officers and Guards Hang Out: The High Life of Selling the Motherland.” The outlet says they obtained photographs and documents showing Bakibay living a lavish lifestyle abroad — clubs, parties, and drinking.

They also claim he served as a link between Kazakhstan’s military intelligence and Moscow:

Before sending people like Bakibay on special operations, the KNB thoroughly cleans the internet. But inside the security service itself, the thugs are trading in employee data. He was the one who connected Kazakhstan's military intelligence with Moscow. Now, Aqorda is appealing to Europe for humane treatment of the diplomat

Polish counterintelligence has also confirmed that although Bakibay was accredited as a diplomat, he was in fact working undercover. 

His arrest was reportedly the result of a coordinated operation by Polish and international intelligence agencies.

Original Authors: Natalia Ovchinnikova and Zarina Fayzulina