Kazakhstan, Astana, Nov. 9 / Trend, A. Maratov /
The Kazakh investigators have revealed that the radical organization Jund al Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate is responsible for the bombings in Atyrau, a regional center in western Kazakhstan, Spokesman for the Kazakh Prosecutor General's Office Nurdaulet Suindikov said at a press briefing in Astana today.
"The investigation has confirmed the organization Caliphate Soldiers' involvement in the Atyrau bombings. The arrested members of this organization stated that the perpetrators received an instruction to commit terrorist attacks in Kazakhstan, including Atyrau.
A bomb exploded in a garbage bin outside the regional administration building in the Atyrau city in western Kazakhstan On Oct. 31. No casualties were reported. The blast did not cause damage to the residential and office buildings.
The second explosion took place on a vacant lot near a neighborhood of the Atyrau city. An unidentified man blew himself up and died as a result. No other victims reported.
Two criminal cases were filed under the Article 233 (terrorism) of the Criminal Code on the facts of explosions.
This terrorist group had earlier called on the Kazakh government to cancel the recently approved law on religion.
The Kazakh President signed the law on religious activities on Oct.13.
Its provisions, in particular the ban on prayer rooms in public institutions, education and health facilities, as well as in military units, have caused a mixed reaction in the Kazakh society. Several NGOs have demanded to revise the document and dismiss the head of the agency for religious affairs.