May 9 March Was Banned In Largest Kazakh City

For the second year in a row,

The Almaty authorities did not allow a march to be held on the 79th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, Chairman of the Kazakh Council of Public Associations of Veterans and Disabled of the War in Afghanistan and Other Military Conflicts Murat Abdushkurov said, writes The Moscow Times.

According to him, the analogue of the "Immortal Regiment" called "Batyrlarga tagzym" ("Regards for Heroes") was planned to be held on May 9. However, the Almaty City Hall refused to agree on the event, citing the "turbulent situation in the world", the likelihood of provocations and the severe flood situation in the country.

"The Akimat (Mayor's office) wants to be safe," Abdushkurov told Ria Novosti, adding that this is the second year in a row. In this regard, the campaign will be held online and will last until June 22. As part of it, it is proposed to post photos and biographies of World War II participants online and on social media of public associations of veterans of Kazakhstan.

According to the Akimat of Almaty, 44 veterans of the Second World War are living in the city. This year, they will receive a one-time payment for Victory Day in the amount of 2 million tenge each ($4.500).

Earlier it was reported that Kazakhstan refused to hold a military parade during the celebration of Defender of the Fatherland Day on May 7 and Victory Day on May 9. The event will not take place "due to budget savings", as well as "due to the need to solve other tasks", the Ministry of Defence of the country explained.

In 2023 and 2022, the Kazakh authorities decided not to hold a Victory Day parade for the same reason. The Ministry of Defence noted that one such event on average costs the budget more than 4 billion tenge. The last parade on May 9 in Kazakhstan took place in 2019.