ASTANA -- Suspects in deadly June 5 terrorist attacks in Aktobe might have received instructions or inspiration from a militant leader in Syria, Kazakhstani Interior Minister Qalmukhanbet Qasymov said in Astana June 14, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The terrorists killed eight Kazakhstanis in attacking two gun shops and a National Guard base. Earlier, authorities reported that death toll as seven.
Authorities killed 18 terrorists in the week following the slayings and are holding nine suspects.
Qasymov did not identify the militant, a "so-called imam" in Syria, who is accused of telling the terrorists by a recorded audio message to strike.
Forty-five militants originally were supposed to carry out the attacks, but about half of them backed out at the last minute, Qasymov said.
