Our People > Vagit Ismailov

Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

public transport Air Astana Parliament Legislation

Kazakh MP Zhanbyrshin Criticizes Air Astana

Kazakh MP Yedil Zhanbyrshin has voiced strong criticism of Air Astana, calling for more Kazakh-language content on its flights and denouncing the airline’s complex refund and compensation processes. Zhanbyrshin directed his remarks at Air Astana CEO Peter Foster, emphasizing the need for the airline to prioritize the Kazakh language, particularly for flights operating within Kazakhstan. “We have repeatedly raised this issue, and it is time to bring the situation in line with the country’s laws. Onboard content is predominantly presented in another language, with Kazakh rarely used. Why is the state language not given priority?” the MP stressed. He further reminded the airline of its obligation to comply with national laws and uphold citizens’ rights. “Mr. Foster, when you first came to Parliament, you were asked only a couple of questions. Working here, you must protect the rights of Kazakhstanis, honor and respect the country’s laws, and create appropriate conditions. Don’t laugh! It’s not funny. You are sitting here, treating us as if we are not people. We are not aborigines in Africa [sic] who don’t understand anything. Don’t play with us, laughing in our faces. This is Parliament! We are representatives of the people, elected by the people,” Zhanbyrshin declared. Zhanbyrshin also criticized the airline’s refund policies, describing them as excessively convoluted. He recounted his personal experience of trying unsuccessfully for five months to secure compensation for a 12-hour flight delay. “It is almost impossible for an ordinary person to navigate the application process and find the necessary information on the website. This is a deliberately complicated process,” he said. He urged other airlines, including SCAT, to simplify their procedures. Zhanbyrshin’s comments follow another controversy involving Air Astana. In November, MP Irina Smirnova sued the airline after her flight was rescheduled at only seven hours' notice. Smirnova sought moral compensation of one tenge for the inconvenience but lost the case. She has since announced plans to appeal.

1 month ago

international tourism Cultural Cooperation Disinformation Bilateral Cooperation Mass Media

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Intensify Efforts to Combat Disinformation

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to deepen their collaboration in the information sector, focusing on combating disinformation and fake news. The agreement was formalized during a meeting between representatives from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and Uzbekistan’s Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the President’s Administration in Tashkent. A cooperation plan for 2025 was signed, covering several initiatives, including media content exchange, training programs for journalists and press secretaries, and support for young media professionals. This agreement builds on commitments made during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Kazakhstan on August 8, when both nations adopted a joint statement on mass communication cooperation. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information emphasized the importance of establishing robust mechanisms to counter fake news and fostering media integration through collaborative projects. The meeting also highlighted plans to organize press tours aimed at enhancing journalistic expertise and strengthening professional ties. A key focus was the development of the Silk Way TV channel, presented by Robert Muradyan, Managing Director of Kazakhstan’s Presidential TV and Radio Complex. The channel is envisioned as a platform for expanding content exchange among Central Asian nations. Additionally, Kazakhstan’s delegation is participating in the VI meeting of ministers and officials responsible for media, hosted by the Organization of Turkic States from December 17 to 19. Both sides expressed their readiness to bolster cooperation, which they see as integral to achieving strategic goals in media development and countering information threats. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are proactively addressing the issue of disinformation through legislative and educational measures. In Kazakhstan, the dissemination of false information is punishable by administrative and criminal penalties, including fines or imprisonment of up to seven years, with the severity of the punishment determined by the level of harm caused. Uzbekistan has also taken significant steps. In September 2024, the First Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Media Forum was held in Tashkent, where participants discussed cooperative efforts to combat disinformation and improve media literacy. Uzbekistan is also implementing projects to establish cooperative mechanisms in the media sphere and organize press tours for journalists to enhance their skills. Both nations recognize the critical importance of combating disinformation to maintain the integrity of their media landscapes. By prioritizing educational initiatives, international collaboration, and media literacy, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are taking meaningful steps to ensure a more informed and resilient public.

1 month ago

Crime Court Cases Konibodom Prosecutor Public Security

Tajikistan Captures Four Suspected of Konibodom Night Murders

Tajikistan's Prosecutor General's Office has announced that it has detained four men in connection with a series of murders that have terrified the town of Konibodom, in the country's northern Sughd region. The office's statement says that operational and investigative measures led to the arrest of four Tajik citizens. The detainees are: Solehjon Khudojberdiev, born in 1998, a resident of Firuzoba Jamoat, Gulbog village; Akhajon Tukhtaev, born in 1997, also from Firuzoba Jamoat, Gulbog village; Bakhtiyor Ravshanov, born in 1988, a resident of Lohuti Jamoat, Sanchidzor village; Manuchehr Odilov, born in 1996, in M. Abdulloyev street, Khamroboyev Jamoat. All four are residents of Konibodom. The Prosecutor General's Office said that the investigation is being conducted under the direct supervision of the country's top leadership. Earlier this year, The Times of Central Asia reported that Konibodom residents had endured a wave of night murders in the spring. Between late March and late May, 13 people -- ethnic Tajiks, and Kyrgyz from the region near the Kyrgyz border -- were killed. The victims, ranging from children to the elderly, were murdered in different parts of the town. While authorities initially claimed the suspects had been caught and the killings had stopped, violence returned in December. On December 9, six more people were murdered, followed by four more found dead in their homes on December 16.

1 month ago

CIS law Drugs Parliament Legislation

Kyrgyzstan MP Proposes Legalization of Marijuana

At a recent session of the Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan's parliament, Kyrgyz MP Dastan Bekeshev proposed revising the country’s approach to drug policy. Bekeshev suggested distinguishing between the lesser and greater evils of drug use, advocating for the legalization of light natural substances, such as marijuana, while emphasizing the dangers of synthetic drugs. Bekeshev argued that banning and destroying natural drugs only drives up their prices, pushing young people toward cheaper but far more harmful synthetic alternatives. He stressed that this approach exacerbates the drug problem rather than solving it. The idea of legalizing light drugs is not new for Bekeshev. In 2019, he proposed creating a designated zone at the former Manas airbase where the sale and use of light drugs would be permitted. Similarly, in 2017, former National Bank head Tolkunbek Abdygulov suggested that legalizing marijuana could help boost tourism in Kyrgyzstan. These proposals have sparked heated debates among Kyrgyz society and lawmakers, with opinions divided over balancing drug control with reducing the negative consequences of drug use. Regional Context The debate on legalizing light drugs is not unique to Kyrgyzstan. Across the Eurasia region, similar proposals have surfaced but have yet to gain official approval. In 2013, Russia called on CIS countries to adopt a joint statement opposing the legalization of light drugs, citing the potential risks of their spread. In 2023, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev reiterated Moscow’s firm stance against legalization, blaming Western propaganda for negatively influencing youth. Belarus has also explored the idea of legalizing psychedelics and other light drugs. However, no official measures have been enacted, reflecting the prevailing opposition to drug legalization within the CIS. Bekeshev’s proposal continues to fuel conversations about whether Kyrgyzstan could break with the regional norm and take a different approach to drug policy. As the debate unfolds, questions remain about the potential economic and social impacts of such a move.

1 month ago

Courts Investments Justice Court Cases Stati Legal Dispute

Moldovan Businessmen Hail Tokayev’s Role in Resolving Stati Dispute

On December 18, the protracted legal dispute between Kazakh authorities and Moldovan businessmen Anatol and Gabriel Stati over oil and gas assets was finally resolved. Following the agreement, the Stati representatives expressed gratitude to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his leadership in reaching the settlement. The Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan reported that the resolution concludes a legal saga that spanned 15 years and impacted Kazakhstan's reputation as an investment-friendly nation. The ministry stated that the government, the National Bank of Kazakhstan, and the Stati parties, with the support of Tristan Oil’s leading creditors, successfully finalized the settlement process. “The signed Final Settlement Agreement forms the basis for the termination of all ongoing disputes, with no possibility of reopening them in the future. The specific terms of the agreement remain confidential,” the Ministry of Justice emphasized. Daniel Chapman, CEO of Argentem Creek Partners - investment manager for funds that are creditors of Tristan Oil Limited, the Stati family’s investment vehicle - praised the resolution. “This settlement and Kazakhstan’s approach to ensuring a fair resolution underscore the country’s respect for investor rights. We thank President Tokayev for his leadership, which has positively reshaped how foreign investors view Kazakhstan. We look forward to collaborating on new projects,” Chapman said. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Justice, Azamat Yeskarayev, noted the settlement’s significance for the nation’s economic future. “The resolution of this longstanding dispute creates additional opportunities for economic growth and investment,” he said, emphasizing that no funds from the national budget were used in the settlement process. The case had involved extensive litigation across multiple jurisdictions over 15 years. While the exact legal costs incurred by Kazakhstan remain undisclosed, the settlement signals a major step forward in resolving disputes with foreign investors and rebuilding trust.

1 month ago