Zhanaozen, 23 October. The National Security Committee (KNB) confirmed to Ulysmedia, Informburo and BES.media that it is conducting a pre-trial investigation after reports of detentions at oil companies in Mangistau region, but gave no details: "We inform you that a pre-trial investigation is being conducted.
Other information is not subject to disclosure in accordance with part 1 of Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code."
Reports of an alleged security operation in Zhanaozen emerged on 19 October. They said managers of the oilfield services company Jana Oil Service, formerly known as Kezbi, and of the oil producer Ozenmunaigas JSC had been detained; according to unconfirmed information, they are suspected of provoking strikes to obtain additional funding. Kazinform reported at the time that the activities of a criminal group that had tried to organise mass protests by oil and gas workers to secure more funding from Ozenmunaigas had been stopped in the region.
The KNB did not name the suspects, the number of people detained or the Criminal Code articles under which the case is being investigated. KazMunayGas said: "None of the managers of Ozenmunaigas JSC who are members of the management board has been detained. For detailed information, please contact the law enforcement agencies."
What it means: The investigation officially exists, but everything else — who was detained, on what charges and under which article — is known only from unofficial sources. KMG denies that members of Ozenmunaigas's management board were detained.
Who benefits: The sources do not name beneficiaries. Workers of Zhanaozen's oilfield services companies, Ozenmunaigas itself and the unnamed suspects depend on how the case unfolds.
Background: The detentions were first reported by the Ak Zhaiyk website and Aktau blogger Azamat Sarsenbayev; no agency has officially confirmed them.
List of sources used: Ulysmedia, Informburo, BES.media
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
