Kazakh National Security Committee neutralizing Takfir wal-Hijra extremist organization
ASTANA. Dec 21 (Interfax) - The Kazakh National Security Committee has launched a special operation to neutralize cells of the Takfir wal-Hijra religious extremist organization (banned in Russia) on the national territory, the committee said.
The operation is in progress in the Almaty, Aktobe and Atyrau regions and the city of Almaty.
"Sixteen persons have been detained on suspicion of the incitement of religious discord and the engagement in activities of an outlawed organization," the committee website said in a report on Wednesday.
Residences of the detainees are being searched, and other investigative and procedural measures are being taken, it said.
According to the Kazakh National Security Committee, members of the organization are advocating the principle of the so-called 'branding of infidel' (Takfir), which is the foundation of the ideology of Al-Qaeda, ISIL (both are terrorist organizations banned in Russia) and a number of other extremist groups.
Takfir wal-Hijra followers approve of the activities of terrorists in Syria and Iraq and totally reject the secular form of government and constitutional laws of the country.
The organization was branded extremist by a court in 2014, and its activity in Kazakhstan was outlawed. It is listed as terrorist in the United States, Russia, China, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and some other countries.
"The National Security Committee will be reporting progress of the operation and results of the investigative proceeding," the report said.