Top Kazakh Military Official Detained For Alleged Bribe-Taking

A top official at Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry has been arrested for alleged bribe-taking.

Defense Ministry spokeswoman Saule Smagulova said on January 31 that National Security Committee officers have detained Major General Almaz Asenov.

He is the chief of the ministry's Directorate for Arms.

The department is responsible for the purchase and use of weapons by the Defense Ministry.

Kazakhstan's KTK television channel reports that Asenov is suspected of accepting a $200,000 bribe.

Based on reporting by Interfax and KTK