“During operational activities carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs' unit for combating extremism in collaboration with the National Security Committee, ten members of a religious extremist group were detained. This group's activities are aimed at undermining the secular constitutional order and establishing Sharia law in Kazakhstan,” reported the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to the agency, the group members disseminated materials online that promoted terrorism and incited religious hatred. The group's leader had previously faced criminal charges for participating in the activities of a banned religious extremist organization.
During searches at the residences of the suspects, extremist materials and other prohibited literature were seized. An investigation is currently underway regarding charges related to the promotion of terrorism and incitement of inter-religious hatred.
Details of the case are not being disclosed at this time in the interests of the investigation.