security forces on 7 January. Shortly after on 10 January, three security officials, Zhanat Suleimenov, Azamat Ibrayev and Tanat Nazanov, were found dead from an alleged suicide, fall from a tall building and heart attack. Joanna Lillis, writing in Eurasianet, speculated that Massimov was suspected of being involved in an attempted coup d'état that Nazarbayev former adviser Yermukhamet Yertysbayev claimed had occurred during the protests. No details were provided upon Massimov’s arrest on what actions could have represented an attempted overthrow of the government. On 13 January 2022, a pre-trial investigation was started against Massimov on the possible charge of high treason. The trial was classified as “top secret” on 27 January. On October 25 2022, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called on the government of Kazakhstan "to take urgent action to ensure the immediate unconditional release of Mr.Massimov" and to conduct an independent investigation into his arbitrary detention. Personal life Karim Massimov is ethnically Uyghur and is a born citizen of Kazakhstan. He is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, Chinese, English and Arabic. At the same time, he is thought to be well connected within the Kremlin. Massimov is married and has three children. His interests include reading books, Muay Thai, skiing, rock climbing and golf. Martial arts Massimov was the President of Federation of Amateur Muaythai of Asia (FAMA) in 2010. The FAMA and the Continental Federation of International Federation of Muaythai Amateurs (IFMA) in Asia is the first Continental Federation since 1991, supporting the work and efforts of the IFMA. He then was nominated and went on to assume the position of Vice President of the IFMA, President of Muaythai federation in Kazakhstan and Vice-President of World Muaythai Council (WMC). In 2012, Massimov was unanimously re-elected for another four-year term to head the Asian federation, which is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia. He showed his support for the sport in an interview in which he stated that the sport "brings together athletes from across the world to train and compete with honour and in the spirit of cultural exchange and understanding." See also Government of Kazakhstan References External links Cabinet of ministers of Kazakhstan Official Site of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan PM Karim K. Massimov Kazakh President accepts Prime Minister's resignation (Update3) Analysis: Why the world cares about Kazakhstan |- 1965 births Living people Kazakhstani people of Uyghur descent Ministers of Economy (Kazakhstan) Ministers