Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied reports of Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu’s arrest.
«The news about the detention of the minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan is not true. We consider this a violation of journalistic ethics and the existing legislation of our country,» ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said in a statement.
Earlier, media outlets reported the alleged detention of Nurtleu. One outlet claimed that, according to its information, Nurtleu and businessman Gadzhi Gadzhiyev had been taken into custody.
Kursiv.media, citing its own sources, reported that Nurtleu had not been detained and was continuing to carry out his official duties. The National Security Committee and the Interior Ministry both said they had no information on the minister’s alleged detention.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva also addressed the rumors, saying there was no confirmation of the foreign minister’s reported detention.
