KZBlog

This morning a suicide bomber blew himself up near the headquarters of the KNB (former KGB) in Aktobe. No one was killed except the bomber himself, but two or four people were injured (depending on which account is true). One victim, Zhenisbek Mauldin, is in serious condition [RU].

The General Prosecutor’s Office has released the name of the bomber [RU], Rakhymzhan Orynbasarovich Makhatov.

At least one account says that Makhatov ran into the waiting room before blowing himself up. A KNB lieutenant who tried to stop him was wounded in the attack along with Mauldin, who was just leaving the office with some documents. Witnesses said that four people were injured, but the Prosecutor’s Office stated that two were injured, aside from Makhatov.

I believe this is the first suicide bomber in the history of Kazakhstan. No one knows the motive yet but speculation is rife. The KNB has made no statement and will not do so. The Chief Imam of Aktobe oblast (province) condemned the incident [RU], even though it is unclear whether the attack was religiously motivated, saying, “Islam prohibits any act aimed at the destruction of people. The murder of one man is equal to the murder of all mankind”

But in a press conference, Zhandos Umiraliyev, spokesperson for the Prosecutor-General’s Office said Makhatov is suspected of being part of a criminal group and blew himself up to avoid being caught by police. Kazakhstan prides itself on its ethnic and religious tolerance, so a religiously motivated attack would belie that reputation.