ASTANA -- Afghan authorities extradited a suspected Kazakhstani militant, the Kazakhstani general prosecutor's press office said in a statement Wednesday (March 15).
Damir Znaliyev is accused of being one of three leaders of the militant group Jund al-Khilafa (Soldiers of the Caliphate), which was formed in the Afghan-Pakistani border zone in August-September 2011. The group allegedly ordered a terrorist act in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, in October 2011. On one day that month, two bombs exploded in the city. One bomber was killed.
Znaliyev had been wanted since 2011. He is accused of founding and leading a terrorist group, financing the group, and planning terrorist crimes in Atyrau Province. If convicted, he faces 8 to 15 years in prison.
