Suspected Islamists Named As Suspects In High-Profile Kazakh Murders

Kazakh officials say two suspected radical Islamists are wanted in connection with the killings of 12 people in a national park near the city of Almaty.

An official statement said the two suspects are at large, are armed, and plan to organize attacks against law enforcement officers.

Last month, the bodies of 12 men and women -- six burned beyond recognition -- were found in the Ile-Alatau National Park.

The victims included the park's senior forest ranger, Panayot Zakharopulo, 76, his relatives, and fellow forest rangers.

Initially police said they were searching for Zakharopulo's missing son as a possible suspect.

Days later, officials said several suspected terrorists killed by security forces near Almaty could have been involved in the killings.

Subsequently, another forest ranger, Aleksei Shkilev, was arrested as a suspect.



Based on reporting by KazTAG and Interfax