Page 336 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Aug 2025

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Approves Controversial ‘Sea Breeze Project’ at Charvak Reservoir

August 4, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Uzbek government has approved the contentious “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” project at the Charvak reservoir in Tashkent region, despite vocal opposition from environmental activists and mounting public concern.

Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov signed Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 490, granting “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” LLC a 25-year direct lease on 577 hectares of land to develop a $5 billion all-season resort complex.

Amid widespread protests, the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Water Resources released back-to-back statements pledging strict government oversight throughout the project’s implementation.

The Ministry of Ecology stated that it will supervise adherence to environmental legislation, including the monitoring of air quality, resource efficiency, and public health safeguards. The ministry reiterated its commitment to transparency and public engagement, stating: “Environmental protection remains an absolute priority for the state.”

“The Ministry of Ecology will conduct continuous monitoring to identify any risks related to pollution, misuse of resources, or potential threats to citizens’ health,” the statement added.

The Ministry of Water Resources affirmed that the Charvak reservoir will remain under full state control. It assured the public that all wastewater generated by the project will be diverted to a centralized treatment facility, with no discharge permitted into the reservoir. The ministry stated that construction will take place outside protected water zones and comply fully with sanitary and hydraulic engineering standards.

Officials also noted that an inter-agency task force will conduct ongoing monitoring, with immediate responses promised in the event of any violations. Safeguarding drinking water and maintaining the reservoir’s water quality are described as “absolute priorities.”

Despite assurances, the project continues to provoke heated debate under the viral hashtag #SaveChorvoq. Government officials have pledged strict oversight, but environmental groups remain skeptical as construction proceeds.

04 Aug 2025

Justice, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Justice

Uzbek National in U.S. Faces Deportation Following Voter Fraud Conviction

August 4, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

An Uzbek citizen, Sanjar Djamilov, is facing deportation from the United States after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud, according to a U.S. court ruling reported by Florida Politics.

Djamilov, 33, who resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, was sentenced to time served and placed under supervised release pending deportation. He has been remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals and is awaiting processing by the Bureau of Customs and Immigration. If deported, he will be barred from re-entering the U.S. without explicit government authorization.

The court imposed a $100 assessment on Djamilov, but waived restitution and other fees.

According to investigators, Djamilov and a Russian national, Dmitry Shushlebin, submitted 132 fraudulent voter registration applications to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections between February and March 2023. The applications were flagged for identical formatting, repeated typographical errors, sequential Social Security numbers, and recurring birth dates, raising immediate suspicion.

Authorities say the pair also submitted change-of-address forms to the U.S. Postal Service to redirect official mail to three addresses under their control. The case was jointly investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, following a referral from the Florida Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security.

In an April 2025 plea agreement, Djamilov admitted that Shushlebin had hired him and others to submit more than 100 fraudulent applications. While Djamilov has now been sentenced, Shushlebin has also pleaded guilty but is still awaiting sentencing. Djamilov had faced up to five years in prison for his involvement.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, 131 citizens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were repatriated from the U.S. on a special charter flight in May 2025. Funded by the Uzbek government, the operation reflected growing cooperation between Washington and Tashkent on migration and security issues.

04 Aug 2025

Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Proposes Stricter Measures for Convicted Pedophiles, Including Pre-Release Chemical Castration

August 4, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health has proposed tightening the application of chemical castration for individuals convicted of sexual crimes against minors. Draft amendments published on the Open NPA platform outline a new mechanism mandating the procedure six months prior to a convict’s release from prison.

Ministry of Health Proposal

Under the proposed changes, prisoners would undergo a compulsory forensic psychiatric evaluation one year before their scheduled release to assess the risk of recidivism. If deemed necessary, chemical castration would follow six months later.

“An amendment is being introduced on the use of chemical castration six months before release and the referral of materials by the administration of the institution no later than twelve months before the expiry of the sentence to the court for the appointment of a forensic psychiatric examination,” the explanatory note states.

Legal Basis and Procedure

Chemical castration is regulated under Article 91 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code. It is currently applied to individuals over the age of 18 convicted of crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, provided they have been diagnosed with a disorder of sexual preference.

The procedure involves the administration of antiandrogenic medication to suppress testosterone levels and reduce sexual drive. Presently, the measure can only be imposed by court order.

The Ministry of Health argues that conducting the procedure shortly before release would minimize the risk of reoffending during the immediate post-release period, which is considered particularly high-risk.

Lifelong Supervision Also Under Consideration

In a parallel initiative, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has proposed introducing lifetime administrative supervision for convicted pedophiles. Currently, such supervision is limited to eight years.

“We can also restrict leaving the house at night,” said Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Lepekha. “Previously, supervision lasted eight years. Now, it is planned to be significantly extended.”

Under the proposal, courts would reassess each case every six months based on the likelihood of recidivism. Additional measures may include restrictions on visiting educational institutions, curfews, and more. Violations would carry administrative or criminal penalties.

A Push for Surgical Castration

A more extreme measure was proposed in 2024 by parliament deputy Yelnur Beisenbayev, who advocated for the surgical castration of pedophiles, calling it a powerful deterrent.

“I spoke in favor of surgical castration. We included this provision in the draft law, but the government did not support it, citing concerns about violating privacy,” Beisenbayev said.

He criticized the government’s stance as “spineless,” asserting that physical castration could serve as both a preventive measure and a means to protect children from violent sexual crimes.

04 Aug 2025

Kazakhstan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture

Kazakhstan Among Top Ten Countries in Reducing Premature NCD Mortality

August 4, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia and one of only ten in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region to meet the target of reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025, according to the Ministry of Health.

The data is based on the WHO Regional Office for Europe’s latest report, Preventable Mortality, Risk Factors and Strategies for Responding to NCDs. The ten countries recognized for achieving this milestone are Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and Estonia.

“These countries have implemented the most effective WHO strategies, reduced risk factor prevalence, and strengthened healthcare systems, resulting in a consistent annual decline in deaths from preventable and treatable NCDs, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer,” the report states. Kazakhstan’s efforts in these two areas were specifically highlighted.

Kazakhstan’s progress has focused on prevention, early diagnosis, expanded treatment access, and improved survival outcomes. WHO monitoring shows the country has implemented 50% of recommended NCD control measures and conducted its first national STEPS survey, a WHO-endorsed standard for assessing NCD risk factors, significantly bolstering public health capabilities.

In response to the high burden of cardiovascular disease, Kazakhstan has increased the number of catheterization laboratories from 31 to 49 between 2017 and 2024, and opened 83 stroke centers, substantially reducing stroke-related mortality and disability rates.

The country has also made significant progress in high-tech medical interventions. Since 2012, more than 600 ventricular assist devices have been implanted, and in 2025, Kazakhstan performed its 100th heart transplant. In 2024, it became the first country in the CIS and Central Asia to introduce a new technology for treating cardiac arrhythmias.

The state health program also includes screenings for eight major diseases, including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. By the end of 2024, 70% of the targeted population had been screened for breast and colorectal cancer.

As a result of these initiatives, life expectancy in Kazakhstan rose from 74.44 years in 2022 to 75.09 years in 2023.

Kazakhstan has also aggressively addressed behavioral risk factors. It enforces some of the region’s strictest anti-smoking laws, including public smoking bans, graphic warnings, tobacco taxes, advertising restrictions, and a complete ban on electronic cigarettes and vapes. Over the past decade, smoking rates have declined by 20%.

To reduce sugar consumption, the government banned the sale of sweetened beverages in schools and, in 2024, passed legislation prohibiting energy drink sales to individuals under 21.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to fund health insurance for over one million unemployed citizens starting in 2026.

04 Aug 2025

Draft, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Grain Exports Surge to Iran, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia

August 4, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan exported 12.4 million tons of grain and flour between September 2024 and July 2025, marking a 34% increase from the same period in 2023-2024, when exports totaled 9.3 million tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Kazakhstan recorded substantial export growth to key regional markets. Shipments to Uzbekistan rose by 28.2%, from 3.384 million to 4.338 million tons, while exports to Tajikistan grew by 39.2%, reaching 1.446 million tons. Deliveries to Kyrgyzstan more than doubled, increasing 2.5 times from 156,000 to 398,000 tons. Exports to Iran surged nearly 17-fold, jumping from 56,000 to 974,000 tons, and shipments to Azerbaijan skyrocketed 120-fold, from just 6,000 to 723,000 tons.

A major milestone of the 2024-2025 export season was the diversification of export destinations. For the first time, Kazakh grain reached Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Additionally, Kazakhstan exported approximately 60,000 tons of wheat to Morocco and 15,000 tons to Vietnam.

Grain exports to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey resumed after a five-year hiatus, and shipments of durum wheat to Italy saw significant growth.

The increased volumes highlight the growing competitiveness of Kazakh grain on the international market and reinforce Kazakhstan’s standing as one of the world’s leading grain exporters.

04 Aug 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Proposes Digital Platform for SCO Agricultural Trade

August 4, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

At a recent gathering of agricultural ministry officials from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Beijing, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Yermek Kenzhekhanuly, proposed establishing a unified digital platform to streamline and enhance agricultural trade across the bloc.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country exported $5.1 billion worth of agricultural products in 2024, a 3.9% year-on-year increase to 16.1 million tons. Notably, 69% of this trade involved nine SCO member countries, underscoring both regional interdependence and the potential for expanded agricultural cooperation.

The SCO includes Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

“We view the agricultural sector as an area for strategic partnership, not competition,” Kenzhekhanuly stated. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s readiness to help develop a unified agricultural space grounded in trust, coordination, and complementarity.

The proposed digital platform would incorporate tools for electronic certification, logistics tracking, and product traceability. The Kazakh delegation also stressed the importance of harmonizing technical regulations and phytosanitary standards to facilitate mutual trade and eliminate non-tariff barriers.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the Tenth Meeting of SCO Ministers of Agriculture, reaffirming the member states’ commitment to deepening cooperation in the agricultural sector.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also working to diversify its agricultural export markets, including recent wheat shipments to North Africa.