Anti-Corruption - The Times Of Central Asia

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Rule of law

Kazakhstan Proposes Polygraph Testing for Law Enforcement Officials

Kazakhstan’s General Prosecutor’s Office has drafted a decree proposing the use of polygraph examinations when appointing law enforcement officers to senior positions. Previously, there had been discussions about requiring all government job applicants to undergo lie detector tests. According to the proposal, polygraph testing could be applied to candidates for leadership roles in all law enforcement agencies, state protection services, and the State Courier Service. “The main objectives of the test are to identify hidden negative motives for seeking employment in law enforcement agencies, including affiliations with banned public associations, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups,” the draft states. Additionally, polygraph tests would aim to detect potential issues such as alcohol or drug addiction, gambling problems, concealed illnesses, suicidal tendencies, undisclosed income, dual citizenship, or the use of forged documents. Candidates may also be questioned about corruption-related offenses, unauthorized disclosure of classified or official information, and abuse of power. “The examination of an employee from a law enforcement agency, civil protection agency, or the State Courier Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be conducted when they are nominated for higher managerial positions - whether as part of regular or unscheduled attestation or through a competition for a leadership role. It may also be used during official investigations, with the individual's consent,” the draft decree states. The proposal, published on the Open NPA portal, is open for public discussion until February 14, 2025. Kazakhstan established a legal framework for polygraph use late last year. However, this is not the country’s first attempt to introduce lie detector tests for civil servants. In 2010, members of the Nur Otan party proposed using polygraphs to screen government officials involved in financial matters. At that time, the plan covered all government departments - both law enforcement and civilian - though it faced greater resistance from the latter. Ultimately, the proposal was not implemented in the civil service. Now, 15 years later, discussions have resumed, though with a narrower focus on law enforcement personnel. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan also has plans to establish a register of corrupt officials.

Corruption

Register of Corrupt Officials to Be Created in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is set to establish a public register of officials convicted of bribery and other corruption-related offenses. Some parliamentary deputies are also proposing additional measures, including banning convicted individuals from leaving the country to ensure they return stolen funds. The Kazakhstani parliament is currently reviewing amendments to anti-corruption legislation. Among the proposals, according to Albina Mautova of the Prosecutor General's Office, is the creation of a public register of individuals convicted of corruption offenses. This registry will be accessible to all citizens through the anti-corruption agency's website. “This register will include individuals who have committed serious and particularly serious corruption offenses. Inclusion in the register will be based on the presence of a conviction that has entered into legal force. Removal from the register will occur only in the event of an acquittal or the expungement of the criminal record,” Mautova explained. The legislative amendments also aim to broaden the scope of criminal liability related to bribery. According to Ulan Sarkulov, deputy chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the new provisions would criminalize not only the act of receiving or giving bribes but also the promise or extortion of a bribe. Sarkulov emphasized that these measures are designed to have a preventive effect by addressing bribery at its earliest stages before damage is caused to the state. However, Sarkulov acknowledged the challenges of enforcement. “The investigative practices of other countries show that proving the promise or extortion of a bribe is difficult. There will never be widespread prosecutions here. International experience demonstrates only a handful of such cases globally,” he noted. Mazhilis deputy Azat Peruashev has called for an additional provision to bar convicted corrupt officials from leaving Kazakhstan. He argues that such a restriction would help recover stolen assets taken out of the country. “As our experience in recovering capital shows, the most effective measure is a ban on traveling abroad. Major corrupt officials often don’t simply take bribes in cash; they transfer funds to offshore accounts, re-hide them, and make it nearly impossible to trace. Sometimes, even our law enforcement agencies are unaware of how much money they have or where it’s located,” Peruashev stated. He further explained, “These individuals serve reduced sentences or pay fines, then go abroad to access the billions they’ve stolen—wealth they could never have earned legally. If they’re forced to remain in Kazakhstan, they will be more likely to return the stolen funds if they want to use them.” The Times of Central Asia previously reported that, according to Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Kazakhstan was ranked as the least corrupt country in Central Asia, marking a significant achievement in the region's fight against corruption.

Corruption

Kyrgyzstan Strengthens Fight Against Corruption

Kyrgyzstan’s president, Sadyr Japarov, has signed a new law to intensify the fight against corruption by introducing tougher penalties for offenders and eliminating opportunities for them to avoid imprisonment. Under the new legislation, individuals convicted of corruption will no longer be able to pay fines or compensate the state for damages in exchange for avoiding prison sentences. Instead, they will be required to serve a mandatory prison term - even if they confess to their crimes. The new law amends Article 79 of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code by adding Part 1/1. According to this amendment: Offenders who plead guilty and fully compensate the material damage caused to the state for crimes listed under Articles 336-348 (corruption and other offenses against state and municipal interests) must receive a prison sentence. The sentence will be no less than half the minimum term prescribed under the relevant criminal article. Additionally, corrupt individuals will be permanently barred from holding state or municipal positions, regardless of whether their criminal record is later expunged. This law signals Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to eradicating corruption within state structures. Authorities believe it will create the necessary mechanisms to deter corrupt activities and hold offenders accountable. One of the country’s most high-profile corruption cases involved former customs officer and oligarch Raimbek Matraimov, nicknamed “Million.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Matraimov avoided imprisonment by paying over $200 million to the state, sparking public outrage over leniency in sentencing. The new law addresses such loopholes, ensuring that financial restitution alone will no longer suffice to escape imprisonment. This reform underscores Kyrgyzstan’s broader efforts to strengthen governance, restore public trust, and ensure accountability at all levels of government.

Anti-Corruption

More Than Half of Uzbeks View Nepotism as a Corruption Problem

According to the United Nations, corruption costs developing countries approximately $1.26 trillion annually. Since 2016, Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reforms to combat corruption, including the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the simplification of public services, and the full digitalization of public procurement systems. A recent study conducted by Uzbekistan's Anti-Corruption Agency, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea sheds light on public attitudes toward corruption. The study used surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews, covering all 14 regions of Uzbekistan and gathering responses from 503 participants. Key Findings The study revealed that public understanding of corruption in Uzbekistan often focuses on bribery and nepotism. Over half of respondents identified abuse of office and nepotism as corrupt practices. However, less than 40% considered valuable gifts a form of corruption, with many viewings them as gestures of gratitude rather than bribes. While bribery is widely condemned - 88.4% of respondents disapproved of it - attitudes toward small gifts for good service were more lenient. Sectors Most Affected The study highlighted the sectors most susceptible to corruption: Healthcare and Education: Particularly in higher education. Local Governance: Frequent opportunities for misuse of authority. Traffic Safety Services, Internal Affairs, Roads, and Construction: Identified as high-risk areas, with rural residents particularly concerned about corruption in road construction. Reporting Corruption Despite witnessing corrupt practices, few respondents report such behavior to authorities. Among respondents: Men: 79.2% were slightly more willing to report corruption than women (70.4%). Women: Showed greater interest in using mobile applications or online portals for reporting (85.2% versus 79.2% of men). Persons with Disabilities: Reported corruption less frequently, but expressed a high willingness to use online tools if made accessible. Trust in Anti-Corruption Institutions Trust in anti-corruption institutions varied significantly: Urban Residents: Trusted the media (20.3%) and bloggers (17.3%) more than rural residents. Rural Residents: Had higher trust in the Anti-Corruption Agency (21.4%). Persons with Disabilities: Showed trust in the Anti-Corruption Agency, media, and bloggers. General Public: Less than 5% said they trust no one to address corruption. Moving Forward The findings suggest that while public awareness of corruption is growing, attitudes toward certain practices, such as gift-giving, remain complex. Efforts to increase transparency, provide accessible reporting tools, and build trust in anti-corruption institutions are critical to further reducing corruption in Uzbekistan.

Corruption Allegations

Following Corruption Arrests in Kyrgyzstan, MP Calls for PM Japarov to Resign

At a recent parliamentary session, Kyrgyz MP Elvira Surabaldiyeva called for the resignation of Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov following the arrest of senior officials from the State Tax Service (STS). The arrests stemmed from allegations of a corruption scheme involving electronic invoices that reportedly cost the state 3.2 billion KGS (approximately U$37 million). Accusations Against the Government Surabaldiyeva directly accused Japarov and his government of corruption. Addressing the Minister of Economy and Commerce present at the session, she questioned the administration’s inability to curb bribery. “You collect money from the people, but you cannot eliminate bribery in your country. Why are you surprised that people don’t trust you?” she said. “The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers has acknowledged that the corruption scheme caused 3.2 billion KGS in damage. This is a colossal amount. At the very least, the Prime Minister should resign, and the head of the tax service should face jail time.” Government Response Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov responded to Surabaldiyeva’s claims on social media, defending the government’s record and arguing that tax collections in Kyrgyzstan have nearly tripled over the past five years due to improved governance and administration. “The people see what their taxes are used for and recognize the state’s development,” Baisalov stated. He added that the era of bribing tax inspectors is over, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a “relentless struggle” against corruption within the state apparatus. Background on Corruption Arrests Earlier, Kyrgyz special services arrested three senior tax officials from the STS, accusing them of orchestrating a systematic corruption scheme. The officials face charges under the article “Abuse of official position”. Despite these measures, the accusations against Japarov’s administration have sparked broader discussions about the government’s ability to effectively combat corruption and restore public trust.

Anti-Corruption

Kyrgyz Authorities Raid State Tax Service Offices

Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) conducted searches across four district offices of the State Tax Service (STS), detaining several high-ranking employees on allegations of abuse of office. According to the SCNS, 30 tax officials were apprehended, including three of the four heads of the State Tax Service in Bishkek. These officials were placed in the SCNS pre-trial detention center on charges related to fraudulent shipping invoices. “During the inspection, it was revealed that major manufacturers and importers of excisable goods - such as alcohol and tobacco products - recorded revocations and withdrawals of shipping documents in the relevant accounting databases, despite continuing to supply these products predominantly to southern regions of the country,” the SCNS stated. The investigation showed that in 2024 alone, tax officials failed to address numerous instances of revoked shipping invoices amounting to $3.7 million. This reportedly enabled large manufacturers and importers to evade taxes. A criminal case has been initiated under Article 337 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the abuse of official position. Authorities are working to determine the total financial damage caused to the state. Meanwhile, charges are expected to be brought against the detained district heads of the Bishkek STS offices. A court will decide on appropriate legal remedies as the investigation continues.