Kazakh authorities on Thursday claimed they had prevented a coup attempt by the supporters of an exiled opposition figure as it arrested seven people ahead of a presidential election this weekend.
Kazakhstan will hold a snap presidential vote on Sunday, and it is expected to cement incumbent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's grip on power, months after deadly unrest shook the country and left more than 230 people dead.
On Thursday, the National Security Committee said a group of seven people planned to "organize riots and a coup and proclaim a provisional government," adding that the suspects "share the views of exiled opponent Mukhtar Ablyazov."
Ablyazov, a former energy minister and bank chairman, is a hugely controversial figure whom Kazakhstan has tried and sentenced in absentia for murder and embezzlement.
Ablyazov has vociferously encouraged protests through his social media channels.
The security service added that the group was trying to organize large-scale riots and planning to attack administrative buildings and law enforcement offices with arms and projectiles.
Weapons including Kalashnikov assault rifles, sawn-off shotguns, ammunition and materials for Molotov cocktails as well as walkie-talkies were confiscated.
Quadri Adejumo covers World News, Health, Climate & Humanitarian.
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