ASTANA, November 15. /TASS/. Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (commonly referred to as the KNB) has apprehended members of an extremist group who were plotting to overthrow the country’s secular system, the KNB reported.

"On November 15, 2023, the KNB, in coordination with the Prosecutor General’s Office, neutralized cells of a radical religious group in the cities of Astana, Atyrau and Zhezkazgan as part of pre-trial investigations. Twelve members of the group were detained on suspicion of spreading terrorism propaganda, as well as establishing and leading an extremist group and participating in its activities. According to the investigation, their goal was to overthrow the secular system in Kazakhstan. To this end, they spread extremist ideology and recruited new supporters," the statement said.

Banned publications and other material evidence was seized in the suspects’ homes during searches.

"Some members of the group have a criminal record for committing serious felonies, including murder of a police officer, larceny, robbery, theft and rape," Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee reported, adding that the rest of the information is classified.

Under Kazakhstan’s Constitution, the country is secular.