Arkankergen mass murder
Location | Arqanqergen, Kazakhstan |
---|---|
Date |
May 28, 2012 5:00 a.m. (UTC+06:00) |
Target | Border guards |
Attack type | Mass shooting, arson |
Weapons |
AK-74 Makarov pistol |
Deaths | 15 |
Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
Perpetrator | Vladislav Chelah |
The Arqanqergen mass murder occurred in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan on the border with China. Arqanqergen is a military post on the border with China, near the village of Usharal. Fifteen people were killed. A border guard, Vladislav Chelakh, initially confessed to the deed, but later rescinded his confession.
Mass murder
Arqanqergen (Kazakh: Арқанкерген) is a border post between Kazakhstan and China. At 5 a.m. on 28 May 2012, communication with the border post was lost. When police from a nearby post came to investigate, they discovered the charred quarters and 14 corpses, also burned; a body of a local gamekeeper was found later at a nearby house. The bodies were subsequently identified as fourteen soldiers and one huntsman.[1]
Initially investigators considered a variety of causes, including a fight among the soldiers, an attack by religious extremists, an assault by smugglers, and an extra-terrestrial attack. The main version, however, was bullying. The sole survivor, Vladislav Chelakh, was the only ethnic Russian stationed at the post and investigators eventually surmised that the 19-year-old soldier, had been subjected to hazing.[2] Chelah confessed to the crime a few days later. He later rescinded his confession, claiming it had been obtained under pressure.[1]
Chelakh was eventually charged with murder, theft, illegally obtaining and distributing of state secrets; embezzlement or extortion of weapons, ammo, explosive devices; illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transfer or carrying of weapons and explosive devices; intentional destruction or damaging of military equipment; desertion, violation of the housing's inviolability. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison at a penal colony, although his appeals are on-going.[3] Chelah's mother maintains that lawyers have refused to defend her son and those who agree charge $2,000 a month, so she is planning an appeal to International Court in Belgium.[4]
President Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev, declared a day of national mourning, has also ordered a special investigation of the incident. The head of the regional border patrol, Alexey Fomin, was also arrested a month after the event for failing to report the border post communication failure. Furthermore, local newsmen have resigned, claiming there is a large scale cover up.[5]
List of victims
№ | Name | Kazakh name | Year of birth | Rank | Place of birth |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Kereev Altynbek Kutjanuly | Кереев Алтынбек Құтжанұлы | 1984 | captain | West Kazakhstan Province |
2. | Aqyshov Yerlan Yergaliuly | Ақышов Ерлан Ерғалиұлы | 1988 | sergeant | Almaty Province |
3. | Aqylbayev Rustem Bagdatuly | Ақылбаев Рүстем Бағдатұлы | 1991 | soldier | Almaty Province |
4. | Sersembayev Talgat Amangeldiuly | Сәрсембаев Талғат Амангелдіұлы | 1984 | soldier | Almaty Province |
5. | Aganas Qambar Asqaruly | Ағанас Қамбар Асқарұлы | 1991 | soldier | Aktobe Province |
6. | Emirgaliyev Bekzat Abatuly | Әмірғалиев Бекзат Абатұлы | 1989 | soldier | Atyrau Province |
7. | Balgabayev Daniyar Garifouly | Балғабаев Данияр Ғарифоллаұлы | 1992 | soldier | Atyrau Province |
8. | Iliyasov Janat Qatuly | Ілиясов Жанат Қанатұлы | 1992 | soldier | Jambyl Province |
9. | Imenov Meyirhan Sagyndyquly | Именов Мейірхан Сағындықұлы | 1992 | soldier | Atyrau Province |
10. | Maqsatov Eli Izturganuly | Мақсатов Әли Ізтұрғанұлы | 1992 | soldier | Aktobe Province |
11. | Mukashev Nurlanbek Quatbekuly | Мұқашев Нұрланбек Қуатбекұлы | 1991 | soldier | Karagandy Province |
12. | Rey Denis Viktorovich [6] | Рей Денис Викторович | 1993 | soldier | Pavlodar Province |
13. | Sagyngaliyev Jenis Deuletuly | Сағынғалиев Жеңіс Дәулетұлы | 1990 | soldier | Atyrau Province |
14. | Usipaliyev Nurjas Duysembauly | Үсіпәлиев Нұржас Дүйсембайұлы | 1991 | soldier | Jambyl Province |
15. | Kim Ruslan Nikolayevich | Ким Руслан Николаевич | 1964 | huntsman | Taldykorgan |
References
- 1 2 "Print version E-Mail Kazakhstan: 12 Border Guards Found Dead Near Chinese Frontier". Eurasianet.org. 2012-05-31. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
- ↑ arqanqergen-mass-murder-was-carried-out-by. Tumblr news.3 September 2015.
- ↑ "Kazakh border guard sentenced to life for murdering 15". Rapsinews.com. 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
- ↑ Appeal Kazakh military. 21 June 2013.
- ↑ Kazakhstan Massacre Survivor Takes the Blame. here 7 June 2012. Accessed 3 September 2015.
- ↑ Forensic experts have not been able to identify his remains. Kazakhstan pays $23,000 to compensate families of 13 massacred border guards.Rapsi, Russian Legal Information System. 3 October 2013. Accessed 3 September 2015.
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