Hero of Almaty airport hostage incident identified

Tengrinews.kz – The identity of the man who helped during the hostage situation at Almaty International Airport has been revealed.

According to reports, his name is Abdraim Musa, and he is approximately 52 years old. Further details are being clarified. Tengrinews has reached out to him, and he confirmed that he was the one who saved the woman. He has promised to provide a comment soon.

Earlier, it was reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was informed about the incident and instructed that the hero be presented with a state award.

The hostage situation occurred on March 7 in the pre-flight security check area of the domestic terminal (T1). At approximately 11:45 AM local time, a disruptive man posing as a passenger approached the security checkpoint. When aviation security officers asked him to present his documents, he grabbed a female security officer by the hair and threatened her with a knife.

Seven minutes later, the man was disarmed by officers from the airport’s security service and the transport police.

The Department of Transport Police later confirmed that a criminal case has been opened. The attacker has been identified as a 67-year-old man.