Three Convicts in 2016 Aktobe Terror Attack Die in Prison

Three men convicted for their roles in a major terrorist attack in the Kazakh city of Aktobe in 2016 have died while serving their sentences. The deaths include two individuals sentenced to life imprisonment and one who received a lengthy prison term.

The attack, which shocked Kazakhstan a decade ago, occurred on June 5, 2016. A group of radicals launched coordinated assaults on gun shops and a National Guard military unit. The assailants first attacked the "Pallada" weapons store, killing a salesperson and wounding a guard to seize firearms.

Armed with at least 17 firearms, the terrorists split into two groups. One group, using a hijacked patrol car, attacked another gun shop called "Panther," where they stabbed two visitors; one died from his injuries.

A shootout with police ensued at that location, resulting in several attackers being killed or detained. Simultaneously, the second group hijacked a bus, forced out the passengers, and used it to breach the perimeter of a National Guard base. A fierce firefight there left three servicemen dead and six others wounded.

The city was placed under a large-scale security lockdown, with public transport halted and residents urged to stay indoors. A yellow level of terrorist threat was declared nationwide for 40 days. In total, the attacks claimed 25 lives: four civilians, three soldiers, and 18 terrorists eliminated during the counter-operation.

Following an investigation, nine individuals were identified as primary perpetrators of the attack. Seven of them—Bakyta Kuanyshbaev, Askhat Imangaliev, Anuar Sadikhov, Zhanabai Kuanyshbaev, Alibek Akpanbetov, Arsen Tanatarov, and Askhat Rakhmetov—were sentenced to life imprisonment. Two others received substantial prison terms: Aidos Zhubanov was sentenced to 25 years and Azamat Abdrakhmanov to 22 years.

Authorities have now confirmed that three of these convicts have died in custody: Aidos Zhubanov (sentenced to 25 years), Askhat Imangaliev (life sentence), and Askhat Rakhmetov (life sentence). No further details regarding the circumstances or causes of their deaths were provided.