Kazakh president appoints new defense minister

ALMATY - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed decrees on Sunday relieving Dauren Kosanov of his duties as the country's defense minister and appointing Aidos Myrzakhmetov as the new defense minister, according to the presidential press service.

The move came following the deaths of 14 servicemen on Thursday, who fell into the Caspian Sea during a naval exercise off the coast of Kazakhstan's southwestern Mangystau region as weather conditions suddenly deteriorated and winds strengthened.

At least five senior military officers were detained in connection with the incident.

Tokayev on Saturday signed an order establishing a special commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the Defense Ministry over the deaths of the servicemen.