Company Commander to Face Trial Over Conscript's Death in Kazakhstan

The Main Military Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan has completed a criminal investigation into a company commander from the Guards Garrison military unit. The serviceman is accused of negligence that investigators say contributed to the death of a conscript.

The incident occurred in the Zhambyl region on January 27 of this year. According to earlier reports, the conscript sustained a fatal injury while handling a weapon.

The military investigative bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched a pre-trial investigation, which was placed under the personal supervision of the Prosecutor General. A deputy defense minister, the chief military prosecutor, and the head of the military investigative department traveled to the scene.

"The necessary evidence was collected in the shortest possible time, after which the criminal case was sent to court," stated an official release. "The investigation into other circumstances surrounding the soldier's death continues. The progress of the case is under special control of the Main Military Prosecutor's Office."

The investigation established that the company commander failed to ensure proper oversight of his personnel's service duties and their handling of weapons. Furthermore, he is accused of exceeding his authority in relation to comrades of the deceased soldier.

This case follows another recent tragedy involving a conscript. In March, a soldier died at a military unit in Atyrau during combat training at the "Karabatan" training ground. Preliminary information indicated he suffered a fatal head wound due to careless weapon handling. Despite immediate first aid and emergency hospitalization, he could not be saved.