A 25-y.o. citizen of Karaganda told that her father was supposed to be on that fatal Kokshetau-Almaty flight as the second pilot, but was switched to another flight in the last moment.
Heads of the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission expressed condolences to Kazakhstan and the families of the victims of the plane crash.
Mr. Gref earlier expressed concerns that Kazakhstan is taking steps to restrict operations of foreign banks in Kazakhstan, including those of Sberbank.
There were 3 Almaty residents, 11 residents of Akmola oblast and 2 residents of Petropavlovsk and Bishkek onboard the CRJ-200 airplane that crashed near Almaty.
Astana’s moves may be driven by efforts of powerful lobbying groups that speak up for stronger cooperation with China: Alexander Karavayev, Vice Director of the Moscow State University Center for Post-soviet Studies.
January 30 Russia’s First Vice PM Igor Shuvalov and Kazakhstan’s Vice PM Kairat Kelimbetov are expected to meet to discuss preparation for the sitting.
Angela Merkel said that information on Aliyev was part of a “successful” operation of German intelligence service and its publication would be deleterious to its source.