Kazakhstan 'averts attacks' linked to banker exiled in Britain Ablyazov, who once headed an opposition party in Kazakhstan, until 2009 was chairman of the BTA Bank which enjoyed rapid growth but then hit problems when the economic crisis struck. The state intervened and Ablyazov fled to London. "The main aim of the acts of terror was to scare the population and create an atmosphere of chaos and panic, destabilising the social-political situation in the country," the prosecutors said. The statement did not give details on how the attacks were thwarted. Apparently accusing Ablyazov and his allies of links to Islamist militants who have been behind a series of attacks in Kazakhstan in the last year, it said they had "contacts with representatives of radical religious groups." This was aimed at carrying out "joint acts of terror" as well as inciting inter-communal conflict in the majority Muslim but secular Central Asian state. While the main protagonists are living in exile "a number of people have been detained and are making confessions," the statement added.