OREANDA-NEWS Russia and Kazakhstan during a joint special operation in Baikonur detained members of a dangerous organized criminal group (organized criminal group), which included citizens of both countries, Sputnik Kazakhstan reports in its Telegram channel.

The FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, as well as the KNB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan took part in the special operation. OCG assistants were also detained in Astana, Kyzylorda and Konayev. In total, 18 leaders and active members of the group were caught — firearms, money and other materials of interest to the investigation were seized from them.

According to Sputnik, the suspects are guilty of kidnappings, extortion, armed robberies and thefts. The criminals were particularly cruel in committing grave and especially grave crimes. In particular, in September 2022, members of the organized criminal group during a "showdown" shot at a random passerby — the wound turned out to be fatal.

In Kazakhstan, after mass protests in January 2022, detentions of persons who have weapons and ammunition are regularly held. Earlier in December, employees of the National Security Service of Kazakhstan detained a group of religious extremists. Extremist literature and "other material evidence" were found at their place of residence in Astana. Two people from the group already have a criminal record for theft and possession of explosives.