Page 512 – The Times Of Central Asia

21 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Denies Rumors About Ratification of the Rome Statute

February 21, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan’s General Prosecutor’s Office has denied rumors that the country intends to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Kazinform reports.

Speculation about a possible ratification circulated on Kazakhstani Telegram channels earlier this week. However, in response to an official inquiry, the General Prosecutor’s Office stated that “no work on ratification of the said international document is underway.”

The Rome Statute, adopted on July 17, 1998, is an international treaty that establishes the legal framework, jurisdiction, and operational structure of the ICC.

The ICC, founded in 2002 under the Rome Statute, is the first permanent international judicial body dedicated to prosecuting individuals responsible for the most serious crimes affecting global peace and security.

21 Feb 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Justice

Russia Sentences Kyrgyz Citizen for Justifying Crocus City Hall Attack

February 21, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

A 30-year-old Kyrgyz citizen has been convicted in Russia for publicly justifying the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. The Second Western District Military Court found Abdinasir uulu Bekzat guilty of supporting the attackers, as reported by the Russian state news agency, TASS.

According to the court ruling, “Abdinasir uulu Bekzat, who worked as an installer of low-current systems at Atrium LLC in Moscow, was found guilty of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – public calls to carry out terrorist activities using the internet. The court imposed a sentence of three years’ imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.”

Additionally, the court banned Bekzat from administering websites for two years, confiscated the cell phone used to commit the crime, and ordered the destruction of the SIM card seized during his arrest.

Bekzat was detained in November 2024 and required an interpreter from Russian into his native language during the trial. He fully admitted his guilt and cooperated with the investigation. Prosecutors had sought a four-year sentence, but the court counted his pre-trial detention as part of the term under the “day-for-day” formula.

In early April 2024, Bekzat posted a comment under a video of the terrorists’ interrogation on the Telegram channel Migrants.ru, writing: “Beautiful guys, such a movement requires a huge spirit, it’s a pity they got caught.”

The charge against Bekzat carried a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison.

21 Feb 2025

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Justice

Uzbek Citizens Deported from U.S. to Return Home

February 21, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan has contacted Latin American governments and U.S. authorities regarding the deportation of its citizens from the United States, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahror Burhonov announced.

According to Burhonov, Uzbek citizens deported from the U.S. typically return home on flights along the New York-Tashkent route. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington and the Consulate General in New York have been coordinating with U.S. law enforcement agencies to facilitate a safe return. As part of ongoing cooperation, the U.S. government notifies Uzbekistan of each deportation case.

“We are monitoring reports about the possible deportation of Uzbek citizens to other countries. Our diplomatic missions have formally requested information from the U.S. regarding such cases. Additionally, we have established contacts with Latin American countries through diplomatic channels,” Burhonov stated.

Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that a group of 200 migrants from Central Asia and India would be deported to Costa Rica as part of U.S. immigration enforcement efforts. A separate U.S. Air Force flight carrying deportees from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam recently landed in Panama. Two more flights are expected, bringing the total number of deportees to 360.

21 Feb 2025

Home, Turkmenistan Local Politics, Local Politics, Turkmenistan Features

Turkmenistan Plans to Raise Conscription Age

February 21, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Turkmenistan plans to raise the age of military conscription from 27 to 30, Turkmen News reports. A decree has reportedly been prepared, but President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has yet to sign it.

Avoiding the draft in Turkmenistan is difficult. Men who study abroad must report to military office upon their return. Without a military ID, they face restrictions on employment, housing, and official registration.

Since late December 2024, reports have indicated that military offices have largely stopped issuing “white tickets” – documents that confirm an individual’s fitness for service without requiring enlistment. This policy shift leaves potential conscripts with fewer options: staying abroad leaves them in legal limbo while returning home runs the risk of immediate conscription.

The Turkmen army has long struggled with a shortage of soldiers. Changing conscription rules appears to be an attempt to bolster the ranks, but it may only deepen young men’s reluctance to serve.

Conscripts often endure poor living conditions, inadequate supplies, and mistreatment by senior soldiers. Corruption remains a significant issue, with funds allegedly being misappropriated and discipline deteriorating. Defense Minister Begench Gundogdyev has been criticized for failing to address these problems.

In other Central Asian countries, such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the conscription age remains at 27.

21 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Russia to Build Gas Pipeline for Northern Kazakhstan

February 21, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Russia will construct a new trunk gas pipeline to supply fuel to the northern and northeastern regions of Kazakhstan. The decision was formalized in an order signed by the Russian government on February 18, which was published on the country’s official legal information portal.

According to the document, the pipeline will have a design capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year, with compressor stations capable of generating 50 megawatts. The route will pass through Russia’s Tyumen region.

Kazakhstan’s Gas Supply Strategy

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev had previously outlined two potential strategies for ensuring gas supplies to the country’s northern regions.

The first option involved extending Gazprom’s existing Saryarka pipeline project, which would supply Kazakh gas to northern Kazakhstan.
The second option, now selected, is to import Russian gas through a newly built route.

Strategic Importance of Gasification

The issue of supplying gas to northern Kazakhstan was first raised by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2021. Tokayev emphasized that gasification of the Akmola and North Kazakhstan regions is a strategically important task.

“This is a matter of national importance,” he said at the time, stressing that expanding gas infrastructure would not only strengthen the region’s industrial potential but also enhance its attractiveness for business and improve living conditions for local residents.

21 Feb 2025

Home, Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Features, Turkmenistan Environment

Experts Warn Central Asia Faces Chronic Water Shortage by 2028

February 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Central Asia is heading toward a severe water crisis as climate change, population growth, and outdated infrastructure put increasing pressure on the region’s water resources, experts have warned.

At a recent roundtable on climate change and water management, Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlighted the growing threat.

Climate change is a major factor, as rising temperatures accelerate glacier melt – the primary source of freshwater in Central Asia. Meanwhile, rapid population growth is driving up demand. Uzbekistan, the region’s most populous country, has seen its population increase from 22 million in 1991 to an estimated 37.5 million in 2025. Across Central Asia, the total population is approaching 80 million.

Another challenge is outdated infrastructure. Pritchin noted that up to 50% of irrigation water is lost due to inefficient and aging systems. Moreover, the region lacks a strong institutional framework for managing water distribution and policy. While some cooperative projects exist – such as the joint construction of the Kambar-Ata hydropower plant – they are insufficient to address the broader crisis.

In response to these challenges, on February 19, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $125 million loan to help Uzbekistan improve water security, reduce losses, and enhance distribution efficiency.

The Climate-Smart Water Management Improvement Project aims to introduce advanced monitoring and management systems. Uzbekistan’s national water utility, Uzsuvtaminot, will implement digital technology to track water flow, minimize waste, and improve service delivery. The initiative will also establish a comprehensive inventory of water supply infrastructure and deploy a nationwide bulk flow metering and telemetry system.

“Uzbekistan’s water resources are under acute threat from climate change and inefficient usage,” said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan, Kanokpan Lao-Araya. “ADB’s project introduces smart water management systems to improve water usage, reduce energy consumption, and increase operational efficiency to lower Uzbekistan’s carbon footprint.”

This initiative is part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to modernize infrastructure and prepare for future water challenges. However, experts caution that without stronger regional cooperation, no single country can fully resolve the crisis.