IRISH SOCCER FANS travelling to Kazakhstan for the Republic of Ireland’s first 2014 World Cup qualifying match tomorrow night have been warned that the country is susceptible to terrorist attacks.
“You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be directed against civilian targets,” the Department of Foreign Affairs says in an advisory to fans travelling to tomorrow night’s game in Astana.
The advisory lists a series of recent violent incidents in the country, including the discovery of 15 bodies at a burnt-out border post near the country’s Chinese border, an armed attacks, explosions and suspected suicide bombings.
Fans are also advised to take caution if taking internal flights in the country, as only one airline – Air Astana – is permitted to operate services within the EU. The country’s other airlines, the report says, do not comply with international safety standards.
“Although homosexuality is not illegal, it is often not condoned or tolerated, especially outside major cities,” it further adds.
The country – perhaps better known in recent times for the ‘Borat’ character – is famously displeased at its portrayal by Sacha Baron Cohen’s TV host, and travellers to the country are regularly asked to avoid making reference to him.
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