In a joint statement, the Kazakhstan Biathlon Federation (KBF) and National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan (KNOC) said all the athletes were tested in full compliance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) procedures for all banned substances.

"This outcome comes as absolutely no surprise to the KBF and KNOC as the protection of clean athletes and the fight against doping, in all forms, remains a top priority for all anti-doping stakeholders in Kazakhstan," the statement reads.

"Whilst we completely support the right of the Austrian authorities and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) to rigorously pursue all anti-doping detection procedures, this has to be conducted based on internationally-recognised standards of fairness and the presumption of innocence granted for all athletes involved.

"Such procedures are clearly outlined in the WADA Code of Conduct.

"Therefore, it is with regret that the KBF/KNOC believe such procedures have been ignored on this occasion and that the Kazakhstani athletes involved have had their fundamental rights abused by this detention.

"In particular, our athletes have complained of continuous interviews until 5am, personal data exemption, and search and seizure activities during the ongoing training process."

A search of the hotel of the Kazakhstan national biathlon team was conducted last Wednesday (February 8) by the Austrian Federal Criminal Police Office.

It came on the eve of the World Championships, which begun with the mixed relay race.

According to Austrian authorities, a "significant volume" of items such as drugs, mobile phones and medical equipment were seized by 30 officials as part of the raid.

The IBU, in coordination with the Austrian Anti-Doping Agency (NADA Austria). then conducted blood and urine tests on the entire Kazakh team.

"This excessive and wrongful treatment of the athletes resulted in fatigue and stress, which significantly limited their performances in the next day’s mixed relay event," the joint statement adds.  

"We urge the Austrian authorities and the IBU to investigate the whole process and treatment of the Kazakhstani athletes at the earliest opportunity to ensure such an incident is never repeated."

The IBU has also released a statement stating it is not contemplating any disciplinary action.

"On February, 8 2017, the Criminal Intelligence Service Austria conducted the search of the Kazakhstan national biathlon team accommodations based on the investigation on possible anti-doping rules violations," it reads. 

"The IBU tasked the Austrian Anti-Doping Agency to conduct both urine and blood tests on every athlete. 

"Today the WADA-accredited laboratory in Seibersdorf reported all test results for urine, blood and serum were negative. 

"The samples were tested for all substances on the WADA prohibited list, including EPO and human growth hormone.

"Therefore the IBU is not considering any disciplinary actions against any athlete at this point in time.

"Since the investigations of the Criminal Intelligence Service Austria are still ongoing with regard to the evaluation of material found, the IBU reserves the right for any further disciplinary action based on any possible findings by the Austrian State Attorney at a later time.

"The National Biathlon Federation of Kazakhstan has been cooperating with the state authorities, the IBU and NADA Austria during the investigation." 

Doping issues have overshadowed the World Championships in Hochfilzen, with the IBU stripping Russian city Tyumen of the 2021 World Championships last week. 

Russian Ekaterina Glazyrina was then provisionally suspended by the IBU with immediate effect due to findings in the McLaren Report.

It meant the 29-year-old was not be able to compete in the women's sprint event and was replaced by Irina Uslugina.

Compatriot Anton Shipulin has said he hopes for a fair investigation into doping abuse allegations regarding his team-mates.

"I hope that the results of the investigation will be fair and our country will be provided an opportunity to present convincing evidence against the pending accusations," he told Ski-nordique. 

Published on December 9, the second part of the WADA-commissioned McLaren Report looked into allegations of state-sponsored Russian doping, particularly in winter sports, and the possibility of a sample manipulation scheme. 

Shipulin also said that when he read through the report, he saw no evidence pointing to the alleged guilt of Russian athletes.

"When I read the report it seemed to me that I was watching a fantastic movie," he added.