Page 432 – The Times Of Central Asia

03 Jan 2025

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

A Dozen Injured in 100-Car Accident in Winter Weather in Kazakhstan

January 3, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Nearly 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pile-up on a highway while driving in blizzard conditions in northern Kazakhstan on Friday, according to authorities. About a dozen people were injured.

The accident happened on the Astana-Petropavlovsk route after escorts from the police and KazAvtoZhol, the government agency that oversees the country’s highways, had organized the movement of traffic toward the capital Astana, KazAvtoZhol said on Telegram. Traffic had been restricted for all vehicles early in the morning after warnings of deteriorating weather, including heavy snowfall, blizzard, high wind, poor visibility and ice.

“However, according to preliminary data, due to drivers failing to comply with the speed limit and safe distance, a mass collision involving approximately 95 vehicles occurred” in the early afternoon near the village of Zhanatalap, the highway agency said.

Videos of the accident showed multiple vehicles jammed up against each other while snow swirls around, as well as a traveler wrapped in a blanket climbing into an evacuation vehicle. A metal road divider was removed to let emergency responders clear the road more easily. Authorities began towing some vehicles involved in the pile-up, while other the drivers of other cars were able to leave on their own.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Telegram that it also helped with rescues and evacuations and that a total of 152 people and 68 units of equipment were involved in the operations.

Some 71 people, including eight children, were evacuated, taken to a staging area and provided with hot meals, the ministry said. Another 10 people were hospitalized. The highway agency said a total of 12 people were injured.

Authorities urged motorists to follow announcements about weather conditions and traffic restrictions on highway, and adjust travel plans accordingly.

03 Jan 2025

Home, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan’s SCNS Head Proposes Ban on “Fights Without Rules”

January 3, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kamchybek Tashiyev, the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS), has proposed banning “fights without rules,” citing their negative influence on youth and society. Tashiyev expressed these concerns during a live broadcast on Facebook, urging a national reevaluation of such activities.

Tashiyev argued that these fights create a misleading notion among young people that success in life can be achieved through violence and coercion. “Fighting without rules is not a sport, but a type of brawling. Such competitions form a false belief in young people that success can be achieved by force and aggression. We need to raise a generation that relies on education and science,” Tashiyev said.

He further highlighted the dangers associated with these events, emphasizing their harmful effects on both moral guidance and physical health. According to Tashiyev, many participants suffer severe injuries, with some becoming disabled by the age of 40.

To address these concerns, Tashiyev urged athletes and young people to focus on Olympic sports, which he described as fostering physical development and receiving state support.

Tashiyev also rejected the argument that the global popularity of unrestricted fighting justifies its practice in Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing that the country should prioritize its own values and traditions over external influences.

From an Islamic perspective, Tashiyev stressed the incompatibility of such activities with moral principles, stating that “Even from the point of view of Islam, such actions are wrong – beating and maiming each other has no place in our values,”

Tashiyev concluded by appealing to sports associations to take measures to restrict fights without rules and guide Kyrgyzstan’s youth toward healthier and more constructive activities.

03 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Will Not Extend Wheat Import Ban

February 4, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced that the country will not extend the ban on wheat imports, which was in effect from August 21 to December 31, 2024. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of reintroducing such measures in the future to safeguard the interests of domestic grain producers.

“From August 21 to December 31, 2024, there was a ban on the import of wheat into the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) from third countries and from the EAEU countries by all means of transport, except for the transit of wheat through the territory of Kazakhstan. Thus, from January 1, 2025, the ban on imports of wheat into Kazakhstan and imports will be carried out without restrictions,” stated the Ministry of Agriculture.

The ministry noted that future decisions on non-tariff measures regulating wheat imports would depend on the situation in the grain market. This leaves open the possibility of reintroducing temporary bans on imported wheat if necessary.

The current ban was introduced to stabilize domestic grain prices. In October, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin explained that earlier attempts to regulate imports through less restrictive measures had failed. Wheat continued to enter Kazakhstan through unofficial channels at prices lower than the cost of domestically produced grain, disrupting the local market.

“We needed this ban to determine the price on the domestic market, to give a message to the domestic market on price,” Zhumangarin stated.

He added that the authorities have now stabilized prices and plan to monitor wheat pricing at the border to avoid the need for future blanket bans.

The ban had a significant impact on wheat imports from Russia. In the first half of 2024, 1.3 million tons of Russian wheat were imported, often labeled as feed for poultry farms or raw materials for Kazakhstan’s flour milling industry. This figure sharply contrasts with Kazakhstan’s annual grain consumption of 1.7 million tons, based on per capita consumption of 64 kg annually.

Kazakhstan entered the ban period with robust grain reserves of 5.1 million tons and anticipated a record harvest of 25 million tons in 2024. In reality, the harvest exceeded expectations, reaching 26.5 million tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Despite these gains, the competitiveness of domestic grain within the country remains a concern.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported Kazakhstan’s ambitious export plans, aiming to ship up to 12 million tons of grain from the new harvest to international markets. However, competition with Russian wheat has complicated these efforts.

In response to Kazakhstan’s ban, Russia imposed partial restrictions on importing Kazakh agricultural products in October 2024. More critically, Russia began redirecting its wheat exports to third countries that have traditionally been key markets for Kazakh farmers.

03 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyz Authorities Postpone Fines for Lack of Compulsory Car Insurance

January 3, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has announced another postponement of fines for motorists without a Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance Policy (CMLIP). Initially set to take effect on January 1, 2025, the penalties will now be delayed until July 1.

This is not the first time the implementation of this regulation has been deferred. Authorities concluded that citizens need clearer information about the requirements for mandatory auto insurance.

“Currently, changes have been initiated to allow the CMLIP policy to automatically transfer to the new owner of the car when it is sold, which will greatly simplify the insurance process for citizens. We strongly recommend car owners issue a policy in advance to avoid penalties and ensure the protection of their liability on the roads,” stated the Cabinet’s official message.

Under the amended law, individuals who fail to secure a CMLIP will face fines of KGS 3,000 ($35), while legal entities will be fined KGS 13,000 ($150). Notably, fines for legal entities have been enforceable since spring 2023.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, every motorist in Kyrgyzstan is required to purchase an insurance policy when re-registering a vehicle. However, compliance remains a significant challenge.

Despite efforts by the State Insurance Organization to promote compulsory insurance – including warnings about fines – results have been underwhelming. Only around 100,000 vehicles in Kyrgyzstan are insured, out of the 1.6 million cars registered in the country.

The Cabinet’s decision to delay penalties aims to provide additional time for public awareness campaigns and to address logistical issues, such as enabling automatic policy transfers during vehicle sales. Officials hope these measures will encourage more motorists to comply with the law before fines are enforced in mid-2025.

03 Jan 2025

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Enhanced Military Capabilities in 2024

January 3, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

In 2024, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense made significant strides in modernizing its Armed Forces, equipping them with advanced weapons and military hardware. The upgrades include air defense systems, armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval equipment, reflecting the country’s growing focus on strengthening its defense capabilities.

According to the Ministry of Defense, these enhancements align with Kazakhstan’s military modernization goals outlined in the updated military doctrine approved in 2022.

Among the notable additions to Kazakhstan’s military arsenal in 2024:

Air Defense Systems: The Armed Forces now operate Buk-M2E and Tor-M2K anti-aircraft missile systems (Russia), Rosa-RB radar stations (Belarus), and Nur radar stations, produced domestically in Kazakhstan.
Armored Vehicles: The Ground Forces received 53 Arlan armored wheeled vehicles manufactured by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering and 45 Cobra II armored vehicles from Turkey’s Otokar. These vehicles improve troop mobility and protection.
Military Transport Aircraft: In December, Kazakhstan acquired an A400M military transport aircraft from Spain. The aircraft can transport heavy cargo, including military equipment.
Naval Vessel: The high-speed transport and landing boat Shapshan, built in Mangistau region shipyards, was launched in Aktau. Designed for sea and riverine operations, it can transport up to 20 marines, has a range of 450 miles, a speed of 45 knots, and supports medical evacuation missions.

The Ministry of Defense also prioritized upgrading its current arsenal, repairing and modernizing 85 pieces of ground and air military equipment in 2024. This includes:

8 helicopters
5 radar stations

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a revised military doctrine in October 2022. The doctrine emphasizes:

Strengthening air defense, including radar and missile defense capabilities
Developing special operations forces
Increasing domestic production of ammunition to reduce reliance on imports
Establishing partnerships with foreign defense companies to procure modern equipment and create joint ventures for advanced weapon production

In the 2024 Global Firepower Index, which ranks military strength, Kazakhstan placed 58th out of 145 countries. This ranking solidifies its position as having the strongest Armed Forces in Central Asia.

03 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Home, Justice, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Features, Features

Istanbul Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Sentences for Suspects in Crocus City Attack

January 6, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has demanded prison sentences ranging from 7.5 to 15 years for five Central Asians accused of involvement in last spring’s terrorist attack on the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow. This information was reported by the Anadolu news agency.

The detainees – identified as Hafizjon Usmanov, Muteullo Asoyev, Rahmatullo Solikov, Muhammadrahim Faizov, and Hamza Muhammed – are accused of providing instructions and logistical support to the perpetrators of the attack. They allegedly promised 800,000 rubles (approximately $7,240) and new identity documents in exchange for carrying out the attack.

According to Anadolu, the suspects were in contact with Shamsiddin Fariduni and Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, who are believed to have been directly involved in the attack. One of the detainees reportedly shared an apartment in Istanbul’s Avcılar district with Fariduni.

Evidence presented by prosecutors includes correspondence between one of the suspects and a perpetrator. In the messages, the suspect proposed planting a bomb at the Vegas shopping center, promising an advance payment of 100,000 rubles and an additional 700,000 rubles upon completion of the act.

The terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall in March last year claimed the lives of 144 people and injured 551 others. The main suspects in the case are citizens of Tajikistan, with reports indicating that 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack.

The Istanbul investigation sheds further light on the broader network behind the attack, pointing to an international web of operatives and support personnel.