Page 17 – The Times Of Central Asia

18 Mar 2026

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Celebrates as Paralympic Champion Yerbol Khamitov Returns Home

March 18, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Dozens of fans, some carrying balloons and bouquets, gathered at Astana’s international airport on Tuesday to welcome Paralympic champion Yerbol Khamitov after he won two medals for Kazakhstan at the Winter Games in Italy.

The 28-year-old athlete, who lost part of his leg after being shot in the knee a decade ago, greeted supporters and thanked his coaches and state authorities for their support, which he said contributed to his international success.

Khamitov won the biathlon pursuit race on March 13 and finished third in the cross-country skiing sprint on March 10, becoming the first Kazakhstani athlete to win two medals at a Winter Paralympics.

“I am glad that I was able to fulfill my promise to raise our national flag on the podium,” he said on social media.

“I am not stopping here. I have many plans and new goals ahead. I will make every effort to reach new heights.”

Khamitov said he was told in the past that ‘“cross-country skiing is not a Kazakh sport”’ but he wanted to prove to himself and others that “anything is possible.”

Khamitov, who competed in martial arts before and after his injury, made his Paralympic debut in Beijing in 2022. Last year, he won his first para biathlon world title at the championships in Pokljuka, Slovakia. The International Paralympic Committee had said he was “among the athletes to watch out for” at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The events ended on March 15.

In Kazakhstan, the paralympian will receive the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars and other benefits for his achievements. Khamitov, who said he comes from a modest background and has experienced hardship, encouraged anyone with physical difficulties to get involved in sports.

“I would like to encourage everyone who is currently in this situation, whether they’ve lost an arm or a leg, are visually impaired, or were born that way, to come and play sports with us,” Khamitov told journalists after returning to Astana.

His success at the Winter Games has been widely seen as an inspiration for athletes with disabilities in Kazakhstan.

18 Mar 2026

International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs

Iran Warns of Military Action Over Iran International Broadcasts via Turkmenistan Satellite

March 18, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

Iran has warned of potential military consequences for countries and organizations cooperating with the independent television channel Iran International, raising concerns about infrastructure linked to satellite broadcasting, including resources connected to Turkmenistan.

Iranian officials said that “certain institutions and countries” that continue to support the broadcaster could face serious repercussions.

According to a statement released by Iran International, facilities and infrastructure involved in transmitting its signal “may be included on the list of targets for the Iranian military.”

The channel cited reports in Iranian state media quoting a representative of the Iranian Armed Forces’ Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.

In remarks reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the military representative accused Iran International of seeking to “create tension, spread false information and rumors, and conduct psychological warfare against the Iranian people in pursuit of the goals of the U.S. and Israel.”

The statement also included a warning that continued support for the broadcaster could result in those cooperating with it being placed on a list of potential targets.

Iran International broadcasts from the United Kingdom using the TürkmenÄlem 52E / MonacoSAT satellite. The same satellite platform carries a range of international media services, including the BBC’s Persian-language programming, Radio Farda, a project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as well as numerous other television and radio channels.

According to the broadcaster, direct warnings had previously been sent to Turkmenistan and Monaco, which host infrastructure enabling signal transmission.

18 Mar 2026

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Scientists in Kazakhstan Develop Antioxidant Supplement for Disease Prevention

March 18, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Scientists in Kazakhstan are developing a dietary supplement containing antioxidants that is intended to help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The project is being carried out by the Kazakh Research Institute of Processing and Food Industry.

The development is taking place in Almaty and is based on the use of domestically sourced plant raw materials, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry says the aim is to create an affordable functional food product with high antioxidant activity.

The key component of the supplement is lycopene, a natural carotenoid found in tomatoes, watermelons, and grapefruits. Lycopene is known for its antioxidant properties and its potential role in reducing oxidative stress, which is associated with the development of various chronic diseases.

According to the ministry, insufficient intake of antioxidants may contribute to weakened immune function and an increased risk of chronic conditions. As part of the project, researchers have already developed technologies to produce powders from tomatoes and watermelons while preserving their biological properties. Freeze-drying and infrared drying methods are being used for this purpose.

Official information indicates that the supplement’s formulation includes lycopene, tomato and watermelon powders, pumpkin seed powder, and safflower oil. This combination is expected to improve bioavailability and make the product convenient for regular use.

The Ministry of Agriculture says the development reflects growing demand for functional foods both in Kazakhstan and internationally. The product could eventually be targeted for export markets.

Officials also expect the project to reduce dependence on imported food additives, expand the domestic raw material base for the processing industry, and create new opportunities for the development of the agro-industrial sector.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported on another innovation by Kazakh scientists: a mobile unit designed to process and store agricultural products for extended periods.

18 Mar 2026

Local Politics, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Prepares for Its First-Ever Administrative Amnesty

March 18, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to introduce Kazakhstan’s first-ever administrative amnesty. The statement was made during a ceremony marking the adoption of the country’s new Constitution.

In the past, Kazakhstan has periodically granted amnesties to individuals convicted of criminal offenses, often timed to coincide with national anniversaries. The most recent such amnesty was carried out in 2025 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitution.

The new initiative is linked to the adoption of the updated Constitution. On March 15, a nationwide referendum was held in which a majority of voters supported the new basic law. The document is scheduled to enter into force on July 1, 2026.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tokayev said that constitutional reform represents a transition to a new stage in the country’s development and requires a reassessment of the relationship between the state and society.

“The People’s Constitution is a strategic mandate of trust and a new social contract aimed at long-term goals and horizons of progress,” the president said.

He instructed parliament to adopt an amnesty law by the end of the current session. The proposed amnesty is expected to cover a range of criminal and administrative offenses that do not pose a threat to public or national security.

The current parliamentary session is due to conclude at the end of June. Under the new Constitution, however, the powers of the existing parliament will cease on July 1, 2026, the same day the new constitutional framework enters into force.

In the near future, five new constitutional laws are expected to be submitted to parliament, including legislation governing the presidency, the Kurultai (the future parliament), the Halyk Kenesi (People’s Council), as well as laws regulating the status of the capital and the country’s administrative-territorial structure.

According to Tokayev, eight existing constitutional laws and more than 60 regulatory acts, including key legal codes, will also require revision. These legislative changes are expected to be synchronized with upcoming parliamentary elections.

Elections to the new unicameral parliament are likely to take place before the opening of the next parliamentary session, which traditionally begins on September 1. As a result, voting could be held within the coming months.

“By that time, preparation of the necessary legal framework must be fully completed. The comprehensive transformation of Kazakhstan’s legal and political system will continue throughout this year and possibly into the next,” the president said.

According to Tokayev, the reforms envisage the creation of new state institutions, as well as structural and personnel changes within existing government bodies.

18 Mar 2026

Home, Central Asia, Justice

Appeals Filed Against Life Sentences in Crocus City Hall Attack Case

March 18, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

Lawyers representing those convicted of carrying out the 2024 attack at Crocus City Hall have filed appeals against the court’s verdict, arguing that the sentences are excessively harsh, Russian state media reported.

According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, defense attorneys have submitted initial appeals on behalf of the main perpetrators and several accomplices following a ruling by the 2nd Western District Military Court.

Earlier, the Russian outlet RBC reported that the four gunmen who carried out the attack were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court ruled that they would serve extended initial terms in prison under the strictest conditions before being transferred to high-security penal colonies. In addition to life sentences, the defendants were ordered to pay fines of nearly 1 million rubles (approximately $12,139) each.

The court also handed down severe sentences to a number of accomplices. Several received life terms, while others were given lengthy prison sentences of more than 20 years. Financial penalties imposed on accomplices ranged from hundreds of thousands to several million rubles.

The attack took place on March 22, 2024, in Krasnogorsk, in the Moscow Region. According to investigators, armed assailants entered the concert venue, opened fire on the audience, and set the building on fire. The assault left 149 people dead and more than 550 injured, and the venue was largely destroyed.

During the trial, which lasted around seven months, prosecutors had requested life sentences for the main perpetrators along with substantial fines. They argued that the defendants had undergone training for terrorist activities, illegally handled weapons, and participated in a terrorist organization.

At the same time, lawyers representing victims expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the ruling. As cited by RBC, some legal representatives said they had sought even stricter prison conditions for the perpetrators, including longer periods in high-security prisons before transfer to penal colonies.

Under Russian law, sentences served in prisons differ significantly from those served in penal colonies. Prison regimes are typically stricter, with limited visitation rights, reduced access to parcels, and tighter daily controls.

Both the defense and representatives of victims are now seeking to challenge aspects of the verdict through the appeals process.

18 Mar 2026

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

The Athletic Names Khusanov Among World’s Most Underrated Footballers

March 18, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender for the Uzbekistan national team and English Premier League club Manchester City, has been included in a list of the world’s most underrated footballers compiled by The Athletic.

In its analysis, The Athletic noted that Khusanov’s early reputation was influenced by a difficult debut against Chelsea last season, when he conceded a goal and struggled during the opening minutes. This performance led some observers to underestimate the 22-year-old center-back.

However, The Athletic added that he quickly recovered, demonstrating the qualities that prompted Manchester City to sign him and showing further improvement during the current campaign.

The report highlights Khusanov’s pace, strong reading of defensive situations, and willingness to challenge opponents aggressively. While noting that his style can at times be overly assertive, The Athletic suggests these aspects can be refined with experience. It also emphasizes his composure in possession, describing him as “a genuine top prospect.”

Khusanov appears on the list alongside several high-profile players from leading European clubs, including Federico Valverde of Real Madrid, Harry Maguire of Manchester United, Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, João Neves of Paris Saint-Germain, Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlović of Bayern Munich, Eric García of Barcelona, Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray, Jurriën Timber of Arsenal, and Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace.

Earlier, Khusanov was named Asia’s Best Young Footballer of 2025 by the outlet Goalpost, marking another milestone in his development. Over the past year, he has experienced a breakthrough period in his career. In January, he became the first Uzbek player to make his debut in the English Premier League following his transfer to Manchester City, according to English-language media reports.

Since joining the club, Khusanov has gradually established himself in the squad, making nine appearances this season. His inclusion in The Athletic’s list reflects growing recognition of his potential at the highest level of European football.