AKTOBE, Kazakhstan -- Two Kazakhstani officers are on trial in connection with charges of cowardice during a deadly June 5 terrorist attack in Aktobe, CA-News.org reported Thursday (December 22).
Kainarbek Tastanbekov and Kairgali Orazjanov were officers on duty at the base for military unit no. 6655 when terrorists driving a bus rammed into the base's gates and opened fire. Tastanbekov and Orazjanov allegedly fled into a bathroom and jumped out a window rather than resist the terrorists.
Tastanbekov denies the charges, while Orazjanov has partly admitted guilt. Both officers were fired after the incident and face up to five years' imprisonment.
The terrorists conducting the attack killed three servicemen at the base and five civilians elsewhere in the city.