Former Kazakh Defense Minister Denies Arrest: Video Surfaces

Former Kazakh Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksilikov Denies Arrest Rumors Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan – June 11, 2025 – Reports of the arrest of former Kazakh Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksilikov, which circulated earlier today, have been officially denied. A short video released by the news outlet Elitar.kz shows Zhaksilikov refuting the claims. Zhaksilikov was dismissed from his post on June 8th. The video, which lasts only 18 seconds, shows Zhaksilikov speaking calmly and directly. While the audio is somewhat muffled, his visible dismissal of the rumors is clear. "In life, all sorts of things happen," Zhaksilikov appears to say in the video, suggesting that false reports are not uncommon. The swift denial from official sources adds weight to the refutation of the earlier reports. The incident highlights the importance of verifying information from trusted sources, particularly in the rapidly evolving landscape of online news. The video's release underscores Elitar.kz's commitment to providing timely and accurate reporting.