Kazakh military leader demoted

The Kazakh Defence Ministry has confirmed the demotion of the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Bakhytzhan Yertayev.

General Yertayev is to be transferred to the post of commander of forces in Semipalatinsk in Eastern Kazakhstan.

Sources close to General Yertayev suggest his departure is linked to his alleged involvement in last year's scandal over the sale of Mig fighter jets to North Korea.

The Kazakh Defence Ministry has said there is no connection.

A number of other high-ranking military officials are also reported to have been removed from their posts.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service