Page 87 – The Times Of Central Asia

09 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Old Kazakhstan in Retreat: The Fate of Nazarbayev’s Allies

October 10, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

Since early 2022, the influence of the so-called “Old Kazakhstan” – the political and business circle that once surrounded former President Nursultan Nazarbayev — has been steadily eroded. Institutions have been reshaped, loyalties tested, and the once-untouchable elite has found itself under unprecedented scrutiny. Yet the names of Nazarbayev and his closest allies still surface regularly in courtrooms, parliament debates, and media headlines. Are these prosecutions and investigations an attempt to build President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision of a “Fair Kazakhstan,” or do they mark a new phase of elite score-settling under the banner of reform? The Times of Central Asia examined the fortunes of six figures from Nazarbayev’s inner circle to trace the shifting balance of power.

Nurbоl Nazarbayev

Recent headlines have revived scrutiny of Nazarbayev’s nephew Nurbоl Nazarbayev, the son of his late brother Bolat. Authorities have launched bankruptcy proceedings against him, citing debts of approximately 58 billion tenge ($107 million). His assets and bank accounts have been frozen, and he is subject to travel restrictions.

Under the current law, Nurbоl will be barred from taking out loans for five years, registering as an individual entrepreneur, or conducting major financial transactions without notifying the relevant authorities. His assets may be liquidated to repay creditors, with the exception of his primary residence.

Once listed as Kazakhstan’s 57th richest businessman by Forbes Kazakhstan, he held ownership stakes in Prime Capital Invest and Prime Capital Holding, was a co-owner of PLS Construction Company and PLS-TM, and the majority shareholder of the Almaty Heavy Machinery Plant.

This legal action follows a parliamentary inquiry into a previously sealed court case initiated by the General Prosecutor’s Office. The court ordered the confiscation of assets worth 57 billion tenge ($105.5 million) and imposed a fine of 925 million tenge ($1.7 million), along with penalties totaling 230.4 million tenge ($425,000). Members of parliament, Rinat Zaitov and Ermurat Bapi, have both demanded transparency in the case.

Zaitov called for a comprehensive audit of Nurbоl’s assets, including those linked to the Altyn Orda market and land plots in Almaty and its surrounding areas. Shortly afterward, Bapi echoed the call, referencing a complaint from a Karaganda businessman who claimed his company was seized in a raid involving Nazarbayev’s circle. Bapi criticized law enforcement for closing the case, calling it “a betrayal of the President’s vision of a Fair Kazakhstan.”

Zhomart Ertayev

Zhomart Ertayev, a flamboyant banker once sentenced to 11 years for embezzling 144 billion tenge ($266 million) from Bank RBK, was unexpectedly released earlier this year under an amnesty, according to the Committee of the Penal System. However, a month later, parliament deputy Abzal Kuspan announced that the court’s decision had been overturned, and a formal appeal to the Prosecutor General’s Office led to Ertayev’s re-arrest.

Ertayev previously held refugee status and a Russian residence permit, both of which were revoked after Kazakhstan issued an international warrant for his arrest.

Kairat Boranbayev

Kairat Boranbayev, a prominent businessman and former in-law of the Nazarbayev family, was arrested in 2022 and convicted the following year of large-scale embezzlement and money laundering. Initially sentenced to eight years in prison, he later had his sentence reduced to six years after voluntarily transferring several assets to the state.

In October 2023, Boranbayev was released from prison, with the remainder of his sentence replaced by a restricted-freedom order. Last week, he withdrew a petition for early release during an online hearing, a move likely motivated by caution amid renewed scrutiny of figures tied to the Nazarbayev era.

Marat Beketayev

Former Justice Minister Marat Beketayev, long considered a loyal technocrat within the Nazarbayev administration, has come under scrutiny for alleged misuse of office during his 2016–2022 tenure. In mid-2024, the Anti-Corruption Agency confirmed that he was being investigated over the multi-billion tenge arbitration settlement with Moldovan investors Anatolie and Gabriel Stati — a case that cost Kazakhstan hundreds of millions in foreign courts.

Beketayev’s resignation in early 2022, officially for “personal reasons,” coincided with the January unrest and the first wave of dismissals among Nazarbayev-era officials. Analysts note that his case represents a shift in focus from oligarchs to bureaucrats once shielded by institutional loyalty. In July 2025, the authorities announced that Beketayev had been convicted on fraud and embezzlement charges and sentenced to nine years.

Kairat Satybaldy

Kairat Satybaldy, the powerful nephew of the former president, became one of the most prominent figures targeted in the post-Nazarbayev crackdown. Arrested in March 2022 while attempting to leave the country, he was sentenced to six years in prison for embezzlement and abuse of power tied to Kazakhtelecom and the Transport Service Center. Prosecutors said substantial sums and assets were returned to the state as part of the proceedings.

Satybaldy’s case became emblematic of President Tokayev’s pledge to dismantle elite monopolies. The General Prosecutor’s Office has since opened further inquiries into his affiliated entities, including charitable and religious foundations. Despite his conviction, speculation persists that Satybaldy retains influence through proxies in business and religious circles.

Timur Kulibayev

Timur Kulibayev, the husband of Nazarbayev’s middle daughter, Dinara Kulibayeva, remains one of Kazakhstan’s wealthiest men despite stepping back from public life. Once a dominant figure in the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund and former chairman of Atameken, the national business chamber, Kulibayev resigned from most official positions following the January 2022 protests.

Since then, he has kept a low profile while restructuring parts of his holdings in the energy and banking sectors, including interests in Halyk Bank. International investigations have examined his offshore wealth and property portfolio, including findings from the ICIJ’s Caspian Cabals project. While no domestic criminal case has been announced against Kulibayev, his reduced public visibility suggests a pragmatic adaptation to the post-unrest political order.

Navigating Kazakhstan’s Transition

Taken together, the cases of Nazarbayev’s allies reveal a pattern that is both transformative and ambiguous. Some have faced prison sentences and asset seizures, others negotiated reduced penalties through cooperation, while a few remain insulated but cautious, adapting quietly to the new political climate. The government presents these actions as part of a necessary break with monopolies and opaque practices of the past, while critics warn of selective justice and a lack of systemic transparency. What is clear is that Kazakhstan’s leadership is redrawing the country’s political and business map, piece by piece, and that the outcome will define the credibility of “New Kazakhstan” for years to come.

09 Oct 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Long-Distance Swimmers from Central Asia Cross Mediterranean Strait Together

October 9, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Fueled by thoughts of family, country, and just reaching dry land, two men from Central Asia swam across the Strait of Bonifacio from the French island of Corsica to the Italian island of Sardinia, an open water route of about 15 kilometers whose varying winds and currents sometimes add to the challenge for ultramarathon swimmers.

Askar Ospanov, a 66-year-old Kazakhstani, and Shavkat Musinov, a 42-year-old Uzbekistani, drew mental strength from each other even though they didn’t speak much while swimming in wetsuits for nearly eight hours on Sept. 26. The leader of their group was Rinat Mustafin, a 46-year-old swimmer from Russia who had crossed the strait in 2019 and prepared his friends for their Mediterranean feat. They were assisted by a support boat.

“The sea that day was challenging — with strong currents and waves — but we stayed coordinated and focused,” Musinov, a Tashkent businessman, said this week. “What united us was the shared feeling that we were doing something meaningful, not only for ourselves but also for our region.”

Musinov and Ospanov were the first people from their countries to swim across the Strait of Bonifacio, a challenge that isn’t overseen by a governing body but has won international recognition over the years. The World Open Water Swimming Association has listed it as one of the world´s top 100 island swims. While the Strait of Bonifacio is among the shorter ultramarathon distances for swimmers (the English Channel, for example, is a cold water challenge of about 33 kilometers), conditions can add to the difficulty level.

“The two relatively close opposite coasts and the seabed with an average depth of 50 meters, which in any case does not exceed 100 meters, mean that the winds and currents that are channeled increase their intensity,” the association says. “The crossing is often characterized by non-linear trajectories and more or less demanding waves.”

Musinov said he met Ospanov’s son, Galym, in the Sahara Desert during the Marathon des Sables ultramarathon in 2023, and they bonded while traversing 250 kilometers together across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. The Uzbek athlete later met the elder Ospanov – Musinov calls him “Asqa aga” with respect and affection – and described the Kazakhstani swimmer as an emblem of determination and discipline.

Musinov and Mustafin, the Russian swimmer, kept the same pace as Ospanov so they could stay together. Ospanov said on Instagram that “team captain” Mustafin set the route. They ended up swimming nearly 17 kilometers because of the pull of the currents.

“Shavkat swam second, occasionally looking back to check on me, while I tried to draft behind him,” said Ospanov, a former government worker. “Twice — at the 6 km and 11 km marks — Rinat gave me CrampFix just in time, helping me when I got a leg cramp (vinegar, as it turns out, can interrupt the body’s cramp reflex). You live and learn!”

CrampFix, which contains vinegar, is a supplement that relieves muscle cramps. Jellyfish are also a hazard in the Strait.

Ospanov and Musinov show off their suntans after the strait crossing (Photo provided by Musinov).

“During the swim, we didn’t really talk – everyone was focused on technique and breathing – but there was a silent understanding and sense of unity,” Musinov said, recalling how he pushed his body to the limit.

He said, “All thoughts narrowed down to one simple goal: to reach the finish. Every stroke, every breath – only forward. Of course, I thought about my family, my children, my friends.

“We fueled every 30 minutes – quick carbs and isotonic drinks to keep up energy and focus. But after 12 kilometers, my body started to ask for something different, so I switched to eating a banana and washing it down with Coca-Cola – a simple combination that worked perfectly at that moment.

“Thoughts about life, business, partners — and how unpredictable life can be — kept running through my mind,” Musinov said. “But above all, one clear idea stayed with me: I was making history for my country — becoming the first Uzbek to swim across the Strait of Bonifacio.”

Musinov’s “certificate of merit” from the Bocche Bonifacio Swimming organization says he completed the crossing in a neoprene wetsuit in seven hours and 50 minutes, leaving the Punta Sperone beach in Corsica at 8 a.m. and arriving at the Monte Regalo beach in Sardinia. The certificate says weather conditions were “good for making the crossing, clear sky, calm sea, wind from the west 6/7 knots, light current from the east.”

The organization says no swimming permits are issued for any crossing in August because of the passage of cruise ships, cargo ships, and small fishing and pleasure boats.

08 Oct 2025

Home, Tajikistan International Affairs, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Features, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Features, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Turkmenistan Features, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Uzbekistan International Affairs

S. Paul Kapur Confirmed as U.S. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs

October 8, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

The U.S. Senate has confirmed political scientist S. Paul Kapur as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs to lead the State Department bureau that oversees relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and the five Central Asian republics. The position carries responsibility for guiding U.S. diplomacy across the region, coordinating security and development strategy, and advising on policy toward regional powers such as China and Russia.

Kapur, 56, is an Indian American scholar known for his work on nuclear deterrence and South Asian security. He was born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother, but grew up in the United States. After studying the region in graduate school, he pursued an academic career, earning a doctorate in political science from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. Kapur taught at Claremont McKenna College and Stanford University before joining the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, where he is a professor of national security affairs and runs U.S.–India strategic dialogues for the Department of Defense.

Paul Kapur, a seasoned academic and security specialist, now takes a post that places him at the center of Washington’s engagement with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. His confirmation fills a key regional portfolio in the Trump administration, which may shape how the United States approaches Central Asia within its broader regional strategy.

Kapur’s portfolio covers both South and Central Asia, but his confirmation has been closely watched in the five republics that straddle the heart of Eurasia. Central Asian governments and business leaders are eager to see whether the new Assistant Secretary will continue Washington’s traditional emphasis on security partnerships or shift toward deeper economic and investment ties.

Kapur brings a distinguished scholarly pedigree and deep expertise in international security. He has written extensively on nuclear deterrence, South Asian security, and great-power competition. While much of his work focuses on India, Pakistan, and U.S. grand strategy, he has also examined how India manages its relationships with larger powers such as the United States and China – an enduring middle-power dynamic. That perspective is particularly relevant to Kazakhstan, an emerging middle power, and to Central Asia acting collectively, which is seeking to balance Russian and Chinese influence.

During his confirmation hearing, Kapur emphasized that U.S. engagement in Central Asia will focus on advancing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the regional states. He noted that, if confirmed, he would leverage the C5+1 framework and bilateral partnerships to pursue cooperation in areas such as energy, critical minerals, counterterrorism, combating transnational crime, and developing physical and digital infrastructure. His remarks reflected a commitment to strengthening regional independence and stability while deepening practical cooperation with the United States.

For Central Asian governments, Kapur’s arrival comes at a time of shifting geopolitics. Russia’s war in Ukraine has unsettled long-standing assumptions, while China’s Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand Beijing’s economic influence. The United States has not always prioritized matching these dynamics. However, Kapur’s testimony underscored opportunities for cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure – areas that suggest Washington could place renewed emphasis on practical economic engagement. Such efforts may also open the door for greater U.S. private-sector participation, aligning with Central Asian governments’ interest in diversifying their partnerships.

Energy security will likely remain a top priority. Kapur has written on the importance of diversifying energy routes, a theme that resonates in Central Asia, where leaders are pushing to expand pipelines and export channels through the Caspian and toward Europe. His confirmation may open the door to greater U.S. engagement in trans-Caspian projects and renewable energy cooperation.

Business leaders will be watching closely for signs of a more proactive U.S. economic presence. While American firms already operate in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector, broader trade and investment ties lag behind those of Europe, China, and Russia. Kapur has acknowledged in testimony that regulatory transparency and rule-of-law issues remain major obstacles. His bureau may prioritize programs that encourage legal reforms and foster investor confidence.

For regional governments, Kapur’s confirmation offers both reassurance and challenges. His arrival restores Senate-confirmed leadership to the State Department bureau responsible for South and Central Asia after a prolonged vacancy, ensuring clearer lines of authority and continuity in U.S. engagement. Central Asian observers are watching to see whether his stated priorities will translate into tangible initiatives.

Ultimately, Kapur’s tenure will test whether Washington can convert its political and security relationships in Central Asia into a more durable, business-oriented partnership grounded in trade, investment, and economic modernization. For Central Asia’s leaders and business community, his confirmation marks the possibility of expanded engagement with the United States – one that could open meaningful opportunities but will depend on building commercial ties that form the backbone of a stable, long-term relationship.

08 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan Launches Development of English Law-Based Dispute Resolution Center

October 8, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Justice and the British Embassy in Kyrgyzstan have signed a memorandum to establish an International Center for Dispute Resolution based on English law within the newly designated Special Financial Investment Territory “Tamchy.”

The initiative follows legislation signed by President Sadyr Japarov establishing the Tamchy zone, a special legal and regulatory jurisdiction located in the Issyk-Kul region. The zone is designed to attract both domestic and foreign investment by offering tax incentives and a favorable business environment, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, wellness, and transport infrastructure.

A central component of the initiative is the creation of an international arbitration and dispute resolution center operating under English common law, a legal system based on judicial precedent and widely used in major financial hubs like London, Dubai, and Singapore.

Under the memorandum, the British Embassy will support the Kyrgyz government by helping to engage a team of legal consultants to assist in implementing English law within the centre’s framework. The aim is to build a transparent, neutral, and internationally credible mechanism for resolving investment and commercial disputes in Kyrgyzstan.

Government officials described the center as a strategic step toward building a modern, rule-based platform for impartial dispute resolution. By integrating English common law principles, Kyrgyzstan aims to enhance investor confidence, ensure legal predictability, and strengthen its position as a competitive and secure destination for international capital.

08 Oct 2025

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

Kazakhstan to Launch Unified Construction Portal in 2026

October 8, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan will launch a unified electronic platform for the construction sector on January 1, 2026, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev announced. The digital system aims to streamline operations for both developers and homebuyers by consolidating multiple existing databases into a single portal.

Presenting the draft of the new Construction Code to parliament, Nagaspayev said the industry currently relies on several fragmented information systems, creating confusion and inefficiencies.

“The new portal has already been developed and passed an information security audit. The only remaining step is to integrate two systems, private and state expertise. We expect full implementation by January,” the minister told the Mazhilis.

The Construction Code introduces several digital innovations, including a unique identifier for every construction project, enabling traceability throughout its lifecycle.

“If we compare it to everyday life, this unique number is similar to an individual identification number (IIN) for people,” Nagaspayev explained. “It will be assigned automatically at the planning stage within the state urban development cadastre and will remain in the system until the building’s demolition.”

This measure will help homeowners access electronic documentation even years after a building’s completion. Currently, many property owners struggle to retrieve original technical or project documents required for renovations or modernization.

The system will also include an electronic registry of licensed construction companies, listing only those that have undergone official accreditation.

Nagaspayev acknowledged that a significant number of companies and licenses exist only on paper, lacking real production capacity or qualified personnel.

“This situation poses risks to construction quality and safety, encourages fictitious participation in public procurement, and distorts the real picture of employment and business activity in the sector,” he said.

The new registry will enable authorities to audit existing licenses and integrate the data with other government databases for automated compliance checks. It will also introduce joint liability among market participants, with the potential to suspend or ban companies that commit serious violations.

Nagaspayev also announced plans to introduce certification for construction engineers, modeled on European Union practices and adapted to Kazakhstan’s legal framework.

“This certification process will be handled in a competitive environment by market participants,” he noted.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan faces a growing labor shortage in the construction sector. Some industry stakeholders are calling for simplified procedures to attract migrant workers to meet rising demand.

08 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, International Affairs

Turkish Police Detain Teenagers Linked to ISIS, Including Turkmen Citizen

October 8, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Turkish security forces have detained two teenagers in Istanbul, one identified as a Turkmen national, on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks and communicating with members of the so‑called Islamic State (ISIS), Turkish press reported.

The arrests were carried out in two Istanbul districts after police discovered evidence of contact with ISIS operatives on encrypted messaging apps.

Authorities say a search of one suspect’s computer turned up files with instructions for making Molotov cocktails and explosives, materials on assembling long‑barreled weapons and shooting training, and a large volume of ISIS‑related propaganda and instructional videos. A court ordered that teenager held in custody.

The same reporting says a separate case in July involved a 14‑year‑old Turkmen national, identified by initials D.R., who was detained in the Maltepe district after allegedly being radicalized online. Investigators reportedly found “training materials” on bomb‑making, assassination techniques, videos on using drones and attack vehicles, and other instructions. The court placed that teenager under house arrest.

Turkish media cited broader figures showing intensified counter‑terror operations: 3,686 people suspected of links to ISIS have been detained in Turkey over the past nine months, with 784 formally arrested, the reporting states.

Earlier cases involving Central Asian nationals have also drawn attention. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Turkish police had detained a Tajik man (named in reporting as Faziljon A.) and a Kyrgyz woman (named as Zulfiya S.) on suspicion of planning attacks for ISIS; authorities said they found police uniforms, emergency lights, knives and other equipment in the apartment where the suspects were hiding.