Our People > Dmitry Pokidaev

Dmitry Pokidaev

Journalist

Dmitry Pokidaev is a journalist based in Astana, Kazakhstan, with experience at some of the country's top media outlets. Before his career in journalism, Pokidaev worked as an academic, teaching Russian language and literature.

Articles

Narcotics

Kazakhstan Drug Seizure Tops Six Tons in First Half of 2025

Kazakh authorities seized 6.4 tons of narcotic substances in the first half of 2025, Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov announced at a recent meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Crime Prevention. For comparison, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a total of 21 tons of drugs confiscated in 2024. That figure included 547 kilograms of synthetic substances, 2.5 kilograms of heroin, over 10 tons of marijuana, and 572 kilograms of hashish. Authorities also recorded more than 8,000 drug-related offenses, dismantled 63 drug laboratories, and identified 7,400 internet resources involved in the distribution of drug-related content. Between January and June 2025, the volume of synthetic drugs seized nearly doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching 570 kilograms. In addition, law enforcement blocked over 17,000 drug-related websites and detained 474 individuals on drug charges, including 28 administrators of Telegram channels. Authorities shut down 103 underground drug labs and uncovered 63 drug smuggling cases. Twenty-one criminal cases have been opened against organized drug trafficking groups, including three transnational networks. Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova reported that more than 17,000 individuals suffering from drug addiction are registered with medical facilities across Kazakhstan. While the number of opioid users has declined by 50 percent over the past five years, there has been a marked rise in addictions linked to synthetic stimulants and poly-drug use. In response to these developments, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has ordered the implementation of stricter mechanisms to identify and block online drug content and to restrict financial transactions associated with drug trafficking. “The increase in drug use among young people is particularly concerning,” Bektenov stated. “Distribution occurs via the internet, postal services, hidden ‘stash’ drops, and anonymous electronic payments, removing direct contact between dealers and consumers.” The Prime Minister also called for tighter control over the dispensation of addictive pharmaceuticals, the expansion of rehabilitation centers including those for minors, and stronger efforts for early detection and treatment of drug dependence. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Central Asia remains a significant transit corridor for narcotics smuggled from Afghanistan. However, the situation is becoming increasingly complex, as more drugs are now being consumed within the region itself.

9 months ago

Healthcare

Kazakhstan to Increase Penalties for Attacks on Medical Workers

Kazakhstan is preparing legislative amendments that will significantly increase criminal liability for violence against medical personnel, equating such offenses with attacks on law enforcement officers. The initiative follows a directive from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who urged the government to take stronger action to protect medical staff amid a growing number of violent incidents. At a recent meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed proposals presented by Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova. The Ministry of Health is drafting legislation that would classify attacks on healthcare workers in the same legal category as assaults on police officers. Proposed measures also include equipping staff with smart video badges, installing comprehensive security systems in hospitals, and deploying permanent police posts in emergency departments. Under the current Criminal Code, an attack on a law enforcement officer is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while attempted murder carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years with property confiscation. Speaking at a briefing, Minister Alnazarova announced the introduction of a new article in the Criminal Code addressing threats and violence against medical workers. Threats alone could result in up to two years' restriction of liberty. Violence against a single medical worker may carry a sentence of 1 to 10 years, while attacks involving multiple perpetrators or targeting groups of workers could lead to up to 15 years of imprisonment. “These are adequate and necessary measures to protect our medical workers,” Alnazarova said, adding that the bill would be submitted to the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, in September. According to the Health Ministry, over 170 cases of violence against doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare staff have been recorded in Kazakhstan since 2019. “Such incidents must be resolutely suppressed by legal means,” Bektenov emphasized. “I instruct the ministries of health, internal affairs, and justice to develop and submit the necessary legislative amendments to parliament within ten days.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, two recent assaults on medical personnel in Kazakhstan resulted in hospitalizations. In response, the health minister issued a public appeal urging an end to violence against medical staff.

9 months ago

Fuel Exports

Kazakhstan Plans to Export Up to a Third of Its Fuel Production by 2040

The government of Kazakhstan has approved a long-term development strategy for the oil refining industry for the period 2025-2040, significantly increasing its forecast for petroleum product exports. The new plan triples previous export projections, aiming for exports to account for 30% of total production by 2040. According to the strategy, key priorities include expanding refining capacity and boosting exports to China, India, and neighboring Central Asian countries. By comparison, in May 2024, the Ministry of Energy had presented a separate draft strategy looking toward 2050, which proposed limiting fuel exports to 10%, and only in cases where domestic supply exceeded demand. Refinery Modernization and Capacity Goals The new strategy builds on recent progress. Following the modernization of Kazakhstan’s three largest refineries, Atyrau, Pavlodar, and Shymkent, total oil processing capacity reached 17 million tons per year. The plan envisions boosting this figure to 39 million tons annually by 2040. “The refining depth has already reached 89%, and the motor fuel produced now meets Euro-4 standards and higher. These improvements have allowed us to meet 90-95% of domestic demand and created favorable conditions for the export of high value-added products,” the Ministry of Energy stated. The strategy calls for expanding existing facilities and constructing a new petrochemical complex to raise refining depth to 94%. This will ensure full domestic fuel coverage amid projected annual demand growth of 1.5-2%, driven by urbanization and industrial development. A major focus will be the advancement of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas chemical industry, including the production of polymers, fertilizers, and other high-value products. Up to $5 billion is expected to be invested in this sector. “The strategy is designed to attract foreign investment, particularly given the country’s reserves of 30 billion barrels of oil. In the context of the global energy transition, this will position Kazakhstan as a regional leader in hydrocarbon processing and enhance economic resilience to global commodity price fluctuations,” the ministry emphasized. Implementation is scheduled to begin in 2025 with pilot projects for refinery digitization. Current Production and Export Landscape In 2024, Kazakhstan’s refineries produced 13 million tons of petroleum products, 1% more than in 2023, according to national oil and gas company KazMunayGas. This included 4.3 million tons each of gasoline and other fuels, and 4.4 million tons of diesel. Kazakhstan also imported 1.2 million tons of fuel from Russia. Prior to the reintroduction of export restrictions in 2024, the country exported 13,500 tons of motor fuel. Similar bans were in place in 2021, 2023, and 2024, meaning Kazakhstan’s fuel exports effectively occurred only in 2020 (nearly 120,000 tons) and 2022 (1,800 tons). As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is planning to invest $15 billion in its oil and gas chemical sector as part of six major projects aimed at strengthening downstream capacity and export potential.

9 months ago

Migration

Kazakhstan Deports 10,000 Foreigners Amid Crackdown on Migration Violations

Nearly 10,000 foreign citizens have been deported from Kazakhstan since the beginning of 2025, according to First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Baurzhan Alenov. The announcement was made during a recent government meeting addressing migration trends and enforcement measures. Alenov noted a consistent rise in the number of foreign arrivals to the country. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 7.5 million people entered Kazakhstan, while 7.2 million departed, a net increase of 600,000 compared to the same period in 2024. Approximately 90% of those arriving are citizens of post-Soviet states. “It is important to note that 97% of foreign citizens comply with migration laws. However, more than 200,000 individuals have faced administrative penalties,” Alenov stated. “Of these, 46,000 were fined for violating residency rules, and nearly 10,000 have been deported with a five-year ban on re-entry.” In addition, over 2,000 employers were fined for the illegal employment of foreign workers. Seven criminal cases have been opened against repeat offenders. Migration Patterns and Permanent Residency As of mid-2025, approximately 212,000 foreign nationals reside in Kazakhstan on a permanent basis. The largest concentration is in Almaty (42,000), followed by the Almaty region (32,000), and both Astana and the Karaganda region (17,000 each). Over the past three years, the number of permanent foreign residents has risen by 42%. Kazakhstan also hosts around 430,000 temporary foreign residents. Of these, 360,000 are labor migrants, 17,000 arrived for family reunification, 8,000 for educational purposes, and 44,000 for tourism or private matters. Government Response and New Initiatives Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of migration laws. He highlighted that over 7,000 violations were detected in May alone during nationwide operations. “Such incidents must be addressed promptly. We need to actively implement digital tools. The introduction of migrant ID cards, issued at border entry points, must be accelerated to improve monitoring and regulation,” Bektenov said. He instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to tighten administrative oversight and called on the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to enhance regulation of private agencies involved in sending Kazakh citizens abroad for work. “These agencies currently operate without accountability or oversight. By year’s end, legislative amendments must be proposed to require licensing of such activities. Additionally, I instruct the Ministry of Labor to submit a draft Concept of Migration and Demographic Policy by October 1. This document should align with the Concept of Regional Policy being developed through 2030,” Bektenov concluded. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the majority of foreign labor migrants in Kazakhstan in 2025 have come from China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and India, working primarily in the construction sector.

9 months ago

Philanthropy

Kazakhstan to Launch “School for Philanthropists” to Support Endowment Sector

Kazakhstan is set to establish a “school for philanthropists” at one of its universities, a specialized training center for professionals working in endowment funds. The initiative was announced by Gulzat Kobenova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education. Currently, 22 endowment funds operate in Kazakhstan. These targeted financial structures support the long-term development of education, healthcare, and cultural institutions through private donations. Unlike traditional charitable organizations, endowments invest the principal and use only the investment income to fund their programs, ensuring financial sustainability over time. A significant step toward institutionalizing the sector came in June 2025 with the enactment of the Law on Endowment Funds. The legislation established a regulatory framework requiring independent audits, the publication of financial statements, and strict accounting standards. Endowments must also form a governance structure, including a board of trustees, an executive body, and an internal audit service. For endowments with assets exceeding USD 75,000, management must be transferred to a licensed professional asset management company. The law also caps administrative and operational costs at 15% of investment income, or 0.5% of average asset value if there is no income. Kobenova stressed that the development of this sector demands a new class of skilled professionals both fund managers and financial investors. To address this need, the ministry is launching a “school of philanthropy” based on international best practices, with input from Indiana University (USA). "The school will train endowment fund employees, prospective investors and donors, and professional fund managers. There are also plans to create a professional community, including an endowment fund association," Kobenova stated. The creation of the school is part of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s roadmap through 2029. As part of this plan, five pilot university-based endowment funds will be launched by the end of 2029, with a total targeted capitalization of approximately USD 94 million. According to Kobenova, these efforts aim to reduce universities’ dependence on the state budget and tuition fees, helping to ensure long-term financial independence. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s investment in research and development (R&D) nearly tripled over the past five years, reaching USD 430 million in 2024. However, science continues to contribute only 0.16% to the national GDP.

9 months ago