Justice - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 43 - 48 of 735

Cyber Security

Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Liability for Mass Leaks of Personal Data

Kazakhstan is considering tightening legal responsibility for violations related to personal data protection. The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has proposed introducing criminal liability for mass leaks of citizens' personal data, along with a significant increase in administrative fines for failing to comply with information security requirements. The proposal was announced by Rostislav Konyashkin, First Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, during a government meeting. According to Konyashkin, Kazakhstan is adopting a “zero tolerance” policy regarding the mishandling of personal digital data. “In implementing the constitutional rights of citizens to privacy and the protection of personal information, we are moving to a zero-tolerance policy in this area. Digital transformation should not undermine the security of citizens, and any irresponsible handling of personal data should be punished in accordance with the law,” he said. In addition to criminal penalties for mass data breaches, the ministry is proposing to significantly increase administrative liability for officials violating information security standards. The current maximum fine is approximately $17,000. The proposed new ceiling would be about $42,500. The initiative would apply to government agencies, the quasi-public sector, financial institutions, and private companies that handle large volumes of personal data. The day prior to the government meeting, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the issue of digital security at the National Kurultai (Assembly). He emphasized that the right to personal data protection should be enshrined in the country's. “Our Constitution must keep pace with the times. In the 21st century, digitalization is developing at a rapid pace and has a direct impact on human rights and freedoms. Therefore, the Basic Law must clearly stipulate that the personal digital data of citizens is protected by law,” Tokayev said. The push for stricter regulation follows a series of large-scale data breaches. In spring 2024, the State Technical Service of the National Security Committee identified a leak affecting over 2 million clients of the microfinance organization zaimer.kz. In summer 2025, the government confirmed the largest data breach in Kazakhstan’s history, compromising the personal information of over 16 million people, more than three-quarters of the country’s population of just over 20 million. Experts say the proposed legal reforms mark Kazakhstan’s shift toward a stricter regulatory framework, aligning with standards seen in the European Union and some Asian jurisdictions, where personal data breaches carry both administrative and criminal consequences.

Drug Trafficking

Former Head of Turkmen Railways on Trial in Russia Over Alleged Drug Smuggling

The former head of Turkmenistan’s state rail company is facing trial in Russia on charges of large-scale drug smuggling, as reports emerge of a covert, high-level campaign to secure his release. Khydyr Rakhmanov, who led Demiryollary JSC (Turkmen Railways), was detained on October 4, 2025, at Moscow's Domodedovo airport while allegedly attempting to import LSD. Russian authorities subsequently opened a criminal case under Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code, “Smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.” He has been held in custody since October 6, and on December 4, the Domodedovo court extended his pretrial detention by another two months. Sources cited by turkmen.news allege Rakhmanov is charged under the most severe subsection of the statute, which covers large-scale smuggling and carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $13,000. The law does not allow for a suspended sentence. Despite this, efforts appear to be underway to negotiate Rakhmanov’s return to Turkmenistan. According to turkmen.news, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, led by Rashid Meredov, is personally involved in an unofficial campaign to secure his release. Sources further claim that $3 million was transferred from Ashgabat via diplomatic mail as part of a backchannel attempt to reach a settlement with Russian authorities. Roman Kuchin, a Russian lawyer with prior experience in the prosecutor’s office and close ties to legal and political networks, has reportedly been retained to advocate for a suspended sentence and eventual deportation of Rakhmanov. Notably, there is no public information about the case on the Russian court’s official website. Earlier reports suggested that Turkmen special service operatives traveled to Russia to conduct direct negotiations with law enforcement officials. The situation underscores Turkmenistan’s behind-the-scenes influence campaign and raises questions about transparency and diplomatic maneuvering in high-stakes criminal cases involving state officials.

Social Protection

“We Can’t Help You”: How Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Justice Handles Citizens’ Complaints

A recent public reception at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Justice has highlighted the formal and often unproductive nature of interactions between citizens and state institutions in the country. On January 10 the ministry held a legal consultation session, officially scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In practice, however, visitors were not admitted until 10:00 a.m. According to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, more than 50 citizens attended the reception, many of whom had previously appealed to state agencies multiple times. They arrived with letters, formal statements, and supporting documentation in hand. Entry was granted in groups of three. The commission included representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Supreme Court, and the Bar Association. Each individual was given no more than five minutes. Despite the format suggesting legal support, the outcome for most attendees was discouragingly uniform. After speaking with 38 participants, journalists reported that all had received the same response: “We can’t help you.” Several attendees stated that officials did not even review the documents submitted with their complaints. As a result, nearly all who came seeking redress left empty-handed. Many expressed hopelessness, stating that they had no viable path to resolve their issues, and that government institutions had effectively denied them access to justice. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on the broader challenges faced by Turkmen citizens in navigating bureaucratic procedures and, in particular, how elderly residents endured long waits at social security offices. Although the process appears straightforward on paper, in practice it becomes a burdensome ordeal, especially given the government’s continued refusal to index pensions and social benefits. Missing a single appointment can result in suspended payments, with delays of up to six months before back payments are processed.

Fraud

Kazakhstan Blocked Nearly 85 Million Fraudulent Phone Calls in 2025

Kazakhstan’s law enforcement agencies blocked approximately 85 million fraudulent phone calls in 2025, according to Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. “Systematic work continues to combat cybercrime and internet fraud,” Sadenov stated. “A total of 84.5 million fraudulent calls were blocked, helping to prevent significant financial losses and reduce citizen exposure to fraudulent schemes. Thirteen call centers were shut down, including some located abroad. Fifty-six criminal cases have been launched against individuals involved in so-called ‘dropperism,’ aiding internet fraudsters.” Sadenov also highlighted Kazakhstan’s signing of the United Nations Convention on Combating Cybercrime, which he said will strengthen international cooperation in addressing cross-border digital crimes. As part of its broader digital transformation, Kazakhstan introduced the Law and Order service last autumn, a new tool enabling citizens to interact with law enforcement agencies. Integrated into eGov Mobile, the government’s digital services platform, as well as the Kaspi.kz and Halyk Bank mobile apps, the service is accessible nationwide. In addition to reporting offenses, users can submit complaints against police officers and send text, voice, photo, and video messages. Every report submitted through the service is automatically registered in the Ministry’s information system, with users receiving real-time updates on the status of their submissions. To support these initiatives, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has established a Department of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. The department is tasked with integrating smart technologies into law enforcement. One of its flagship projects is the National Video Monitoring System, which uses video analytics to enhance street and public safety, including the ongoing development of the Safe City initiative. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, engineers in Karaganda unveiled three prototype unmanned aerial vehicles last year aimed at improving public safety across Kazakhstan.

Caspian Pipeline Consortium

Kazakhstan Opens Criminal Probe Over Calls to Attack CPC Oil Pipeline

Kazakhstan has opened a criminal investigation into public statements that authorities say encouraged attacks on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the main export route for the country’s crude oil, after months of disruption at the system’s Black Sea terminal turned a foreign security risk into a domestic legal and political issue. Prosecutor General Berik Asylov confirmed the case in a written reply to a parliamentary inquiry on January 6. "On December 17, 2025, the Astana City Police Department launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (incitement of social, national, tribal, racial, class, or religious discord) into negative public comments regarding damage to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium," the Prosecutor General stated. The authorities have yet to name suspects, publish the posts under review, or announce any arrests. The file remains at the evidence-gathering stage, and prosecutors have left open whether any charges will ultimately be filed under Article 174, or reclassified under other provisions once investigators assess the intent and impact. The probe follows a request by Mazhilis deputy, Aidos Sarym, who said that some social media commentary crossed from opinion into encouragement of harm to strategic infrastructure, endorsed attacks on the CPC, and urged further strikes on critical sites. The political sensitivity is rooted in the 1,500-kilometer pipeline’s central role in Kazakhstan’s economy. CPC carries crude from western Kazakhstan to a marine terminal near Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, where the oil is loaded onto tankers for delivery to global markets. The pipeline is owned by a consortium that includes Kazakhstan, Russia, and several international energy companies. The system dominates Kazakhstan’s oil export economy. More than 80% of the country’s crude oil exports move through the CPC route, which also carries more than 1% of global oil supplies, making it a pressure point for both markets and state revenue when operations are disrupted. The investigation follows a period of repeated disruption at the Novorossiysk terminal in late 2025, after a naval drone strike damaged one of the offshore loading points used to transfer oil from the pipeline to tankers. The damage forced operators to suspend loadings and move vessels away while inspections and repairs were carried out, sharply reducing export capacity. The CPC relies on single-point moorings positioned at sea to load crude onto tankers, a critical constraint on the entire system; when one goes offline, capacity drops quickly. The pipeline cannot store large volumes, forcing upstream producers to cut or slow output. By late December, the impact was visible in Kazakhstan’s production figures. Oil output fell by about 6% during the month after the late November strike constrained exports. Production at the Tengiz oilfield, the country’s largest, dropped by roughly 10%. Exports of CPC Blend crude fell to about 1.08 million barrels per day in December, the lowest level in more than a year, as the terminal operated with only one functioning mooring while others remained offline due to damage and maintenance. Operational pressures continued as...

Migrant Workers

Uzbek Migrants Face Growing Risks in Russia as Tashkent Seeks Probe Into Alleged Abuse

Russian security forces reportedly carried out a raid on a café in Khabarovsk in mid-December 2025, during which several Central Asian migrants were allegedly beaten. According to information circulated on social media, two Uzbek citizens fell into a coma following the incident, and one of them subsequently died. On January 2, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it had sent a diplomatic note to Russia requesting an impartial and lawful investigation. The ministry also said steps were being taken to repatriate the deceased’s body. However, it noted that the cause of death has not been officially confirmed, and reports of a second Uzbek in a coma remain unverified. In response to the incident, Alisher Qodirov, member of parliament and leader of the Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party, issued a stark warning to Uzbek migrants in Russia. “Believe me, the situation will only get worse month by month,” Qodirov wrote on Telegram. “Russian security services see Central Asians as potential participants in future unrest, and they have already given up on any benefit migrants may bring... Use your common sense and leave Russia as soon as possible,” he added. “No income is worth the tears of your parents and children.” As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fourth year, labor migrants remain among the most vulnerable and least protected groups affected by the conflict. Central Asian nationals, particularly Uzbeks, face increasing risks of coercion, legal jeopardy, and systemic abuse. By July 2025, at least 902 Uzbek citizens were reported to have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine. Independent monitors believe the true figure is considerably higher. In October 2025, the ‘I want to live’ project identified 2,715 Uzbek nationals who had participated in the conflict, including those recruited illegally, those who signed contracts, and ethnic Uzbeks already serving in the Russian military. Despite this, Russia remains heavily reliant on migrant labor. As of September 1, 2024, nearly four million citizens from Central Asia were living in Russia. Of these, 1.79 million were from Uzbekistan, followed by significant numbers from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. For Uzbekistan, the economic implications of growing pressure on migrants are profound. Remittances remain a cornerstone of the national economy. In the first half of 2025 alone, Uzbekistan received $8.2 billion in cross-border transfers, with 78% originating from Russia. Amid rising xenophobia and labor restrictions, economists warn that this dependence could have severe long-term consequences. Economist Abdulla Abdukadirov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, said total remittances by year-end are expected to approach $20 billion. “This is an extremely large sum,” Abdukadirov said at an offline session of the Fikrat analytical program, responding to a question from The Times of Central Asia. “If the state budget is around $28 billion, then nearly $20 billion in remittances reveals how dependent our economy is becoming on external sources.” Abdukadirov warned that Uzbekistan is developing a dangerous structural dependency. “First, we’re becoming more reliant on external investments and borrowing,” he said. “Second, our dependence on cross-border remittances is deepening.” According...