FBRK.KZ

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a Decree establishing an Interdepartmental Commission for Crime Prevention under the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Commission will coordinate the work of state bodies in the field of crime prevention.

Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan has introduced amendments to the rules for granting and servicing budget loans. The amendments relate to procedures for debt restructuring, early repayment, and the decision-making process for changing lending conditions.

In the Zhambyl region, on the territory of a military unit, a civilian employee of the paramilitary guard died. He sustained a gunshot wound after a shot from a carbine at one of the guard posts. A pre-trial investigation is being conducted into the death.

Singer Rakhat Turlykhanov was taken to Almaty police station after a family conflict in the Medeu district. A woman initially reported the use of physical force, but later denied the fact of assault. An administrative protocol was drawn up against the man under Article 73, Part 1 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In the city of Aksu, Pavlodar region, police officers detained a man as part of operational measures to combat organised crime. During a search, 11 kg of narcotic drugs of plant origin were found on him. A criminal case has been opened on the fact of illegal drug trafficking.

International observers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have presented preliminary assessments of the republican referendum on the new Constitution of Kazakhstan. According to them, the vote took place openly and in accordance with national legislation and international standards. No significant violations capable of affecting the legitimacy of the voting were identified.

In Astana, a court has sentenced the deputy head of the local police service of the "Yesil" district, Ali Abetayev, who was found guilty of intentionally causing minor harm to the health of his superior. The incident occurred during a night-time raid to inspect establishments. The court sentenced the defendant to 1 year of restricted freedom, 100 hours of community service, and stripped him of the rank of police captain.

The Central Referendum Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan has announced the preliminary results of the vote on the new version of the Constitution. 7,954,667 citizens, or 87.15% of referendum participants, voted in favour of the changes. Turnout was 73.12%, with 9,127,192 people taking part.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that 15 March will be celebrated annually as Constitution Day of Kazakhstan. The statement was made after the release of exit poll results from the nationwide referendum on the new version of the Fundamental Law. According to the polling station exit surveys, the majority of citizens supported the constitutional reform.