Kazakh Consul In Frankfurt Arrested For Alleged Smuggling

Kazakhstan's consul-general in the German city of Frankfurt-on-Main has been detained for alleged involvement in smuggling, rferl.org reports.

Kazakh Foreign Ministry's spokesman confirmed German media reports on August 30 saying that Consul Akhat Alpysbaev and an associate were detained on August 29. Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov called this situation as disgraceful.

Zhanbolat Usenov did not provide any details on the case, saying that Kazakh officials and their German partners were working together to clarify the situation.

Some German media reported on August 30 that Alpysbaev was detained for alleged involvement in cigarette smuggling into German territory.