Video: Hostages Released from Bank Branch in Astana, Suspect Arrested

Hostages have been released from a bank branch in Astana. Special forces freed four hostages who were held by an armed man. The suspect has been arrested, reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan.

Earlier, it was reported that an armed man had taken several people hostage in a bank branch in the capital of Kazakhstan, according to the country's police news service.

“A man has locked himself in the building of the Caspian Bank located on Dostyk Street with visitors of the institution. Preliminary data indicates that the man is armed. Police officers are on the scene, negotiations are ongoing with the man,” the statement said.

Law enforcement agencies have urged city residents to remain calm and refrain from interfering with the work of the authorities. The police have cordoned off the area around the bank branch.

According to information published on social networks, the man is 30 years old, and there are 8 hostages, including a security employee. The police has not confirmed this information yet.

The bank's press service stated that currently, only bank employees are in the branch, and there are no customers present. “Representatives of law enforcement agencies are negotiating with the person threatening the employees, and all efforts from the police and the bank are focused on ensuring that no one gets harmed,” the bank assured.