Kazakhstan's FM Nurtleu comments on his alleged arrest rumors

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, has denied recent rumors about his alleged arrest, calling them false and absurd, Report informs, citing the local press.

Speaking to journalists in the parliament corridors, Nurtleu said:

"This is a lie, it's absurd. I think it's just one of those spring or autumn things… There's really nothing to comment on - you can see everything for yourselves."

He noted that during the time the fake news was spreading, he was at his workplace:

"Who came to me? Who asked me anything? I was at work. You saw I had meetings. I was on the phone with foreign counterparts. I met with investors. Everything was as usual."

Nurtleu added that he has no intention of taking legal action over the spread of unverified information, stating that he doesn't take it personally:

"We live in a state governed by the rule of law. Kazakhstan is a secular country. There are relevant authorities-let them handle it, if needed. I don't take it personally. You know, I might be out of the country soon, planning to travel abroad after the president's [Kassym-Jomart Tokayev] address. Perhaps this [fake news] is just another test."

On September 4, several Kazakhstani media outlets reported that the National Security Committee (NSC) had allegedly detained high-ranking officials, including Nurtleu and businessman Haji Hajiyev. The reports were later denied by Kazakhstani authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.