Ex-advisor to Kazakh president killed in Astana

Yerzhan Babakumarov, a former official and ex-advisor to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has been killed in Astana, according to reports from Orda.kz.

Details of Babakumarov’s death were provided by the police. According to preliminary information, he became involved in a verbal altercation with a 36-year-old acquaintance.

“The conflict turned into a fight. As a result, the 56-year-old man received injuries incompatible with life, he died. A criminal case has been opened over the murder,” authorities stated.

Babakumarov began his career in the 1990s in the office of the Akim of Almaty. He later joined the presidential administration, where he oversaw internal policy and led the information centre under President Nursultan Nazarbayev. In 2006, he was appointed vice minister of culture and subsequently served in the office of Prime Minister Karim Massimov.

In 2019, Babakumarov became part of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s team as an advisor. His final role was director of the central communications service under the president.

Yerzhan Babakumarov was 56 years old and is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

By Tamilla Hasanova