Kazakhstanis whose families have been seeking their return from the combat zone in Ukraine are preparing to be sent home. The group consists of 13 citizens, according to lawyer Meirman Shekeyev. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the human rights defender, nothing currently obstructs the men's return. The priority now is to ensure they have a safe journey home.
On behalf of the parents, Shekeyev thanked the President of Kazakhstan, Foreign Ministry staff and other government agencies for their assistance.
“First of all, on behalf of the parents, we express our sincere gratitude to Allah, as well as to President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, who influenced this important decision, to representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to all competent government agencies. We also express our appreciation to everyone who provided support in a difficult moment and did not remain indifferent to the fate of our citizens. Our main wish is for our children to return home safely and be reunited with their family and loved ones,” the lawyer conveyed the parents' words.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that a resident of Shymkent said he and his friends were deceived into going to war in Ukraine instead of the promised work in Russia.
Relatives turned to diplomats for help in early October, arriving in Astana. According to their account, the men went to Russia to work for security agencies, but were allegedly given documents for contract military service to sign under the guise of employment contracts, after which they ended up at war. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry confirmed it was negotiating with the Russian side on their return.