Major terrorist attacks planned in Almaty

Atyrau. September 28. Kazakhstan Today - Last year, residents of Atyrau, sentenced to long prison terms for terrorism, had planned attacks in Almaty.

We recall that in the morning of October 31, 2011 in Atyrau there were two explosions: one - at the building of the regional Akimat (no casualties), and the second - on the corner of a block of flats in the "Sary-Arka" neighborhood, which killed the bomber himself. As it was established later, he was a resident of Atyrau city, Baurzhan Sultangaliyev, born in 1987. Later other five young men were accused: Alimzhan Sagenov, born in 1983, Meyrambek Usabekov, born in 1986, Mirhat Kalkamanov, born in 1988, Alibek Zholdasov, born in 1987, and Aset Embaev, born in 1990. All five are local residents, Zholdasov and Embaev at the time of their arrest were students at universities of Almaty. Embaev also worked as an assistant engineer at the Research Institute of oncology and radiology in Almaty, the "Ak Zhaiyk" newspaper writes.

On April 2, 2012 by the judgment of the City Court, A. Usabekov and M. Saguenay were sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment in a penal colony, M. Kalkamanov was sentenced to 7.5 years, A. Zholdasov and A. Embaev were sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony. All five men convicted on multiple counts of Article 233 of the Criminal Code (terrorism - manufacture of explosive devices, participation in a terrorist group, terrorist acts), the article says.

As follows from the trial, the attacks were prepared and implemented by Sultangaliyev, Sagenov and Usabekov. Sagenov met Sultangaliev and Kalkamanov in 2007. Young people have become friends on religious grounds. All three held radical views, were strong supporters of armed jihad.

Sultangaliev's group was independent, though its members were familiar with many "brothers" from other groups of Atyrau. But after the mass arrests in August 2011, fearing arrest, Sultangaliyev, Sagenov and Usabekov contacted via Skype with one of the leaders of "Jund al-Khilafah" ("Soldiers of the Caliphate") Damir Znaliev, who participated in military operations in Pakistan. They discussed with him the situation in Atyrau and expressed their intention to travel to Pakistan to participate in hostilities. But Znaliev persuaded them to commit armed jihad in Kazakhstan and offered to join the group "Jund al-Khilafah" and execute his orders. Sultangaliyev with companions agreed," "Ak Zhaiyk" says.

On September 11, 2011 they arrived in Almaty and contacted Znaliev via Skype. The day after arrival, they were instructed to make an explosive device.

On September 27, 2011 one of the leaders of the terrorist group "Jund al-Khilafah" R. Habidolla sent email to the email address of Akim of Atyrau region demanding the release of detainees in Atyrau in late August 2011 and threatened to take action in case of non-compliance of the demand.

On October 1, they got from Znaliev a scheme showing the place of a terrorist attack - it was the territory adjacent to the administrative building of Consular Service of the MFA on Aiteke bi street in Almaty. According to the newspaper, on October 3, at about 5:30 a.m. Sagenov and Sultangaliyev transported explosives to the planned location. But a yard-keeper accidentally found the bomb and threw it in the trash.

On October 5 and 6, 2011 Znaliev gave them the command to make an explosion near an object belonging to the Interior Ministry.

Unexpected visit from the renter aroused suspicion. Fearing impersonates, Atyrau guests drained the components of explosives into the toilet, and parts of the bomb were taken into the woods and buried. Then they immediately left for Atyrau on a train.

Meanwhile, according to the newspaper, on October 21, the leaders of the "Jund al-Khilafah" uploaded in YouTube a video appeal to the Government of Kazakhstan for rescission of the Law "On religious activities and religious associations" and again threatened to commit acts of terrorism.

A week later, Znaliev contancted via Skype with Sagenov, Usabekov and Sultangaliev, who returned to Atyrau after unsuccessful attempts to sabotage, and gave them a new mission: to make the explosions outside Akimat of Atyrau region and the regional prosecutor's office, the article says.

This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.