Kazakhstan Justice - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 122

Register of Corrupt Officials to Be Created in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is set to establish a public register of officials convicted of bribery and other corruption-related offenses. Some parliamentary deputies are also proposing additional measures, including banning convicted individuals from leaving the country to ensure they return stolen funds. The Kazakhstani parliament is currently reviewing amendments to anti-corruption legislation. Among the proposals, according to Albina Mautova of the Prosecutor General's Office, is the creation of a public register of individuals convicted of corruption offenses. This registry will be accessible to all citizens through the anti-corruption agency's website. “This register will include individuals who have committed serious and particularly serious corruption offenses. Inclusion in the register will be based on the presence of a conviction that has entered into legal force. Removal from the register will occur only in the event of an acquittal or the expungement of the criminal record,” Mautova explained. The legislative amendments also aim to broaden the scope of criminal liability related to bribery. According to Ulan Sarkulov, deputy chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the new provisions would criminalize not only the act of receiving or giving bribes but also the promise or extortion of a bribe. Sarkulov emphasized that these measures are designed to have a preventive effect by addressing bribery at its earliest stages before damage is caused to the state. However, Sarkulov acknowledged the challenges of enforcement. “The investigative practices of other countries show that proving the promise or extortion of a bribe is difficult. There will never be widespread prosecutions here. International experience demonstrates only a handful of such cases globally,” he noted. Mazhilis deputy Azat Peruashev has called for an additional provision to bar convicted corrupt officials from leaving Kazakhstan. He argues that such a restriction would help recover stolen assets taken out of the country. “As our experience in recovering capital shows, the most effective measure is a ban on traveling abroad. Major corrupt officials often don’t simply take bribes in cash; they transfer funds to offshore accounts, re-hide them, and make it nearly impossible to trace. Sometimes, even our law enforcement agencies are unaware of how much money they have or where it’s located,” Peruashev stated. He further explained, “These individuals serve reduced sentences or pay fines, then go abroad to access the billions they’ve stolen—wealth they could never have earned legally. If they’re forced to remain in Kazakhstan, they will be more likely to return the stolen funds if they want to use them.” The Times of Central Asia previously reported that, according to Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Kazakhstan was ranked as the least corrupt country in Central Asia, marking a significant achievement in the region's fight against corruption.

Home Justice Kazakhstan Justice Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees

Cyber Déjà Vu: Is Russia Spying on Kazakhstan Again?

Another espionage scandal is gaining traction in the Western media, with Kazakhstan once again at its center. Within Kazakhstan, however, the topic of Russian cyber activities against the country is receiving minimal attention in the press. While Akorda seeks to navigate its delicate relationship with the Kremlin, any overt allegations of espionage might provoke Moscow’s powerful propaganda machine, which continues to exert significant influence over public opinion in Kazakhstan. This time, the intrigue is unfolding in cyberspace, where a hacker group identified as UAC-0063, potentially linked to the Kremlin-backed Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group known as APT28, has been implicated in spying on diplomatic institutions across Central Asia. The group’s activities, which can be traced back to at least 2021, have targeted not only Kazakhstan, but also Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and other countries. Their previous targets include diplomatic, non-profit, academic, energy, and defense organizations in Ukraine, Israel, India, and the wider Central Asian region. According to a cyber espionage investigation by Sekoia, UAC-0063 hackers infiltrated Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs by leveraging official documents, such as emails, draft memos, and internal administrative communications. These documents — likely used to deliver malware — were either stolen in prior cyber operations, obtained from open sources, or acquired through other unknown means. Sekoia identified around two dozen such documents, dating from 2021 to October 2024, which primarily addressed Kazakhstan’s diplomatic cooperation and economic relations with other countries. The researchers suggest this campaign is part of a broader, Kremlin-backed global cyber espionage operation targeting Central Asia, with a particular focus on Kazakhstan's foreign relations. This latest revelation is a reminder of other episodes. One prominent ongoing case involves individuals in London who stand accused of preparing actions at the behest of Russia against Kazakhstan's diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom and targeting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s son. Even more striking is the echo of the Pegasus spyware scandal, which emerged in 2021. An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed that the Israeli-developed Pegasus spyware was used to monitor a wide range of individuals in Kazakhstan, including independent journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and high-ranking officials. Among the targets were President Tokayev, then-Prime Minister Askar Mamin, former Akim of Almaty Bakytzhan Sagintayev, and several of Kazakhstan’s wealthiest business-people. At the time, public suspicion fell upon Karim Massimov, the former chief of the National Security Committee (KNB), as the perpetrator of the Pegasus surveillance. However, the issue faded into obscurity following the unrest of January 2022, the events of which were officially described as an attempted coup d’état. To this day, no definitive answers have been provided about who orchestrated the Pegasus cyberattacks or their motives. Now, with fresh reports of Russian-linked malware targeting Kazakhstan’s cyber-security, it appears that history may be repeating itself. The key question which remains - is this merely a case of déjà vu, or could it signal the groundwork for a new effort to destabilize Kazakhstan?

Local Politics Kazakhstan Local Politics Kazakhstan Justice Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Limits Payment Card Validity for Non-residents

The Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDF) has introduced new rules limiting the validity of payment cards issued to non-residents to one year. Exceptions are made for businessmen, investors, and diplomats. The changes are intended to reduce risks associated with drug trafficking and digital asset transactions. The ARDF clarified that the new restrictions do not apply to payment cards already in use. Under the updated regulations, banks are required to closely monitor transactions linked to drug trafficking; transfers to digital asset exchanges not affiliated with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC); and payments to electronic or online casinos. Banks must also scrutinize customers holding more than five cards at a single bank or three cards at three different banks. The new measures include stricter verification requirements for beneficial owners (BO): individuals who ultimately benefit from a company or assets, even if these are registered under another name. Financial institutions are now mandated to use all available tools, including official documents and public records, to identify the actual owners of assets. Previously, beneficial ownership was determined based solely on a person holding 25% or more of a company’s authorized capital. These reforms aim to enhance the transparency of financial transactions and prevent illegal activities, including fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes.

Central Asia Home Justice Kazakhstan Justice Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Home

Two Dead, One Injured in Hostage Situation in Kazakhstan

A hostage situation in the Kazakh city of Aktobe on January 13 has left two people dead and a young woman seriously injured. The events unfolded around 8pm when police received a report of a man breaking into a private residence and taking a young woman hostage. Emergency services promptly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area. According to the press service of the Aktobe Region Police Department, both the department chief and the city prosecutor were present and personally led negotiations with the suspect. Authorities revealed that the suspect was previously acquainted with the hostage. However, the man made no demands during the standoff. After three hours of failed negotiations, law enforcement decided to storm the house. The operation resulted in the successful arrest of the suspect and the rescue of the hostage. Tragically, the woman’s elderly parents were discovered in the cellar during the inspection of the house. Both had sustained stab wounds. The 67-year-old mother succumbed to her injuries while en route to the hospital, and the 75-year-old stepfather died during emergency surgery. The rescued hostage also sustained serious injuries, including slash wounds to her head and hands. She remains hospitalized in critical condition and is receiving both medical and psychological care. A criminal case has been opened in connection with the incident. The suspect is currently being held in a temporary detention center as investigations continue. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the attacker’s motives, leaving the community in shock as they mourn the loss of two lives and hope for the recovery of the injured woman.

Central Asia Home Justice Kazakhstan Justice Kazakhstan

Indian Students Involved in New Year’s Eve Brawl Deported from Kazakhstan

Six Indian students have been deported from Kazakhstan following their involvement in a mass brawl in Almaty on New Year’s Eve. The students, enrolled at a university in Almaty, were the only individuals implicated in the altercation, with no Kazakh citizens involved. "This was an internal conflict among the students," Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek commented. "The Almaty Police Department is conducting an investigation. We have discussed the matter with the Indian Embassy and reached a joint decision to deport the students." The altercation occurred at a café on Kok-Tobe, a popular mountain destination in Almaty. What began as a quarrel between the students escalated into a violent mass brawl, with video footage showing participants wielding chairs, tables, and batons. The footage quickly circulated online, drawing public attention to the incident. According to the Almaty Police Department, all individuals involved in the fight were identified and taken to the Medeusky District Police Department for questioning.

Home Justice Kazakhstan Justice Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees

Aliyev Takes Aim at Russia in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has intensified his criticism of Russia, accusing it of a “cover-up” over the Azerbaijan Airlines plane which crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25. During a televised address, Aliyev expressed Azerbaijan’s “surprise, regret, and righteous indignation” over what he described as “absurd” explanations for the crash. Departing from protocol, Aliyev delivered his address in Russian, a poignant choice that heightened the gravity of his message. “I can confidently say that the guilt for the deaths of Azerbaijani citizens in this accident lies with the representatives of the Russian Federation,” Aliyev stated. “We demand justice, we demand punishment of the guilty, we demand complete transparency and humane treatment… If the city of Grozny had taken timely measures to close Russian airspace over its territory, if all the rules of ground services had been observed, and if there had been coordination between the armed forces and civil services of the Russian Federation, then this tragedy would not have happened.” On Monday, Aliyev met with the two surviving flight attendants and the families of other crew members who perished, describing them as “heroes”. The Flight Recorders In a related development, Brazil has concluded its analysis of the black boxes from Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243. The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) confirmed that the findings were handed over to Kazakhstan’s Aviation Accident Investigation Department in line with international protocols for aircraft accident investigations. These results will contribute to the final report on the incident. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia (TCA), the incident led the Commission on Aviation Incident Investigation, headed by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, to decide to send the flight recorders to Brazil’s CENIPA. The investigation was conducted by three Brazilian specialists in collaboration with Azerbaijani and Russian experts. Chronology of the Crash The incident occurred on December 25, when an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coast. The plane was flying between Baku, Azerbaijan, and Grozny, Russia. Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed, and 29 were injured. The passengers included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 6 Kazakhs, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russians. On December 26, video footage showing small holes in the fuselage wreckage sparked speculation about possible external damage. Aviation and military analysts suggested the holes might have been caused by air defense systems, given reports from the Chechen authorities about the shooting down of Ukrainian drones in the area. This raised concerns about the potential for misidentification. [caption id="attachment_27352" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Chechen Pantsir Missile Launcher; image: Vitaly V. Kuzmin[/caption] When asked about the possibility of external fire, Kazakh Minister Marat Bozumbayev emphasized that conclusions would only be drawn after all available evidence had been examined. International Collaboration The Azerbaijani government rejected the idea of a Russian-led investigation, opting instead for an international team of experts, including representatives from Embraer. The black boxes were sent to CENIPA on December 29. The crash also prompted a temporary suspension...