DEFENSE MINISTER DISMISSED FOLLOWING MILITARY TRAINING TRAGEDY

ALMATY, SEPTEMBER 27 /SRNA-RIA Novosti/ - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Dauren Kosanov as defense minister following the deaths of soldiers during a military exercise in the Caspian Sea, the presidential office said.

"By decree of the head of state, Dauren Zhumatayevich Kosanov has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the statement said.

Tokayev appointed Aidos Mirzakhmetov as the new defense minister.

The Defense Ministry said on Thursday that 17 naval personnel were swept out to sea during an exercise in the Mangystau region on the Caspian coast after weather conditions suddenly deteriorated and winds intensified. Fourteen of them died, while three were rescued.

Criminal proceedings were launched over the sailors' deaths on suspicion of "negligence in office resulting in serious consequences" and "violation of navigation rules." A government commission was formed to investigate the causes and circumstances of the tragedy.

Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry had earlier said that five Defense Ministry officials had been detained in connection with the investigation.

Tokayev ordered preliminary findings from the investigation to be submitted within seven days.