Tokayev: Qazaq state bodies ready to investigate Aydos Sadykov assassination attempt

Qazaq state authorities are ready to join the investigation into the attempted assassination of Qazaq opposition journalist Aydos Sadykov in Kyiv, reports the Qazaq media outlet TengriNews, citing President Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev.

He noted that he has instructed the diplomatic department and law enforcement bodies to direct official inquiries to the Ukrainian side regarding the attack on Sadykov.

"If necessary, Qazaqstan's state bodies are ready to join the investigation to assist in uncovering the truth," Tokayev said.

He noted that Qazaqstan is on course "to strengthen the rule of law".

"You know my principled position: Law and Order must prevail in the country. All conflicts and disagreements in our society must be resolved exclusively within the legal framework, on the basis of the current law, in compliance with the basic international norms. It is from this perspective that the crime that happened yesterday in Kyiv, targeting the Qazaqstan citizen Aydos Sadykov, must be viewed," explained Tokayev.

Earlier, an unknown person shot at Qazaq opposition journalist Aydos Sadykov in the Shevchenkiv district of Kyiv.

The Kyiv National Police HQ have begun a pre-trial investigation into the attempted assassination of the Qazaq journalist Aydos Sadykov.

Who is Aydos Sadykov

According to RBC Ukraine, Aydos Sadykov was born in the village of Qarabutaq (Aktobe region, Qazaqstan), near the border with Russia. He graduated from the history department of the Aktobe Pedagogical Institute.

Sadykov has been prosecuted in his homeland. In 2010, he was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of "hooliganism" and released in 2012. He and his supporters called the charges fabricated. Sadykov was an active public figure, organized protest rallies. He ran the Aktobe region branch of the oppositional All-National Social Democratic Party "Azat"; having left the party, he attempted to create the opposition public movement "Hastat" and an independent trade union at the enterprises of the Chinese oil company "SNPS-Aktobemunaigaz".

He and his wife run the YouTube channel "BASE", criticizing the Qazaq authorities and oligarchs. Sadykov is also known for supporting the January 2022 protests in Qazaqstan, which were suppressed by CSTO troops. In October 2023, he was declared wanted in Qazaqstan for "inciting hate".

The latest video on his channel was uploaded today. It has the title "The Qazaq President has become a puppet to Russian influence agents."