Crime - The Times Of Central Asia

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Trial Begins in Almaty for Man Who Took Airport Employee Hostage

A trial has opened in Almaty for Mashrapbek Baratov, a 67-year-old man accused of taking a female airport employee hostage and threatening to detonate a bomb inside the terminal. The incident occurred on March 7 at Almaty International Airport, where Baratov, armed with a kitchen knife, seized Botagoz Mukhtarova, a 23-year-old security screening officer. He claimed to be carrying explosives and demanded access through the security area without the proper documents. The situation was quickly defused thanks to the actions of Musa Abdraim, a bystander who had come to the airport to see off an acquaintance. Abdraim, 52, reportedly offered himself in place of the hostage and managed to disarm the attacker at a critical moment. The standoff lasted approximately seven minutes. Abdraim, a former martial artist, was later honored by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the “Yerligi Ushin” (For Bravery) medal for his selflessness and courage. During court proceedings, further details emerged about Baratov’s background. He has been charged under Part 3, Article 293 of the Criminal Code (“Hooliganism with the use of weapons”), Paragraph 4, Part 2, Article 261 (“Hostage-taking”), and Article 273 (“Knowingly false report of an act of terrorism”). According to prosecutors, Baratov, facing financial distress, spontaneously decided to fly to another city but lacked identification and a boarding pass. When Mukhtarova stopped him during screening, he claimed there was a bomb in his backpack, showed her an old button phone, and held a knife to her neck. Testifying in court, Mukhtarova recounted the traumatic experience through tears: “He was alone. I asked for his ID and boarding pass. He said he would blow up the airport in three minutes and showed me a button phone. He grabbed me, I fell. He pulled a knife out of my pocket. I panicked and screamed. He said if anyone came close, he’d detonate the bomb.” Baratov also presented his version in court, claiming he had arrived at the airport by mistake while riding a bus and impulsively decided to fly to Astana in search of work. He admitted to grabbing Mukhtarova and feigning possession of a bomb out of fear of being shot by police. He pleaded guilty to all charges. He also stated that he suffered a concussion while serving in Afghanistan in 1981, and that each spring he experiences bouts of aggression, allegedly due to long-term brain injuries. Reports indicate that in November 2024, Baratov attacked a woman on a bus for speaking loudly on the phone. The incident has raised public concern over airport security protocols. Questions persist over how Baratov managed to bring a knife into the terminal. According to Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov, responsibility for airport security was transferred from the transport police to aviation security services in 2009. He has since pledged to revisit the legislative amendments from that period. “There were changes in 2009. Previously, the transport police managed security. Later, this responsibility shifted to the aviation security service,” Adilov said. “We will review the legislative amendments passed then. After investigation...

Crime UAE Murder Uzbek citizens rabbi

Three Uzbeks Sentenced to Death in UAE for Murder of Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi

A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sentenced three Uzbek nationals to death for the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a dual citizen of Israel and Moldova. The verdict, issued on March 30, has not yet been publicly confirmed by UAE authorities, according to The Times of Israel. Reports of the sentencing began circulating on social media, including an audio recording purportedly featuring one of the convicted men informing his family of the court’s decision. In the recording, the man urges his mother and sister to trust in Allah, ask for forgiveness on their behalf, and remain patient. The recording’s authenticity has not been independently verified. Israeli diplomatic sources, however, have confirmed that the UAE has indeed imposed the death penalty. The three convicts, Olympi Tohirovich, 28; Makhmodjon Abdulraheem, 28; and Azizbek Kamilovich, 33, were arrested in Turkey shortly after the crime and later extradited to the UAE. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged the sentencing but noted that the legal process is still underway. “This is not yet the final verdict. In the UAE, the death penalty is automatically appealed and sent to the Criminal Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court,” ministry spokesperson Ahror Burhonov told Kun.uz. The government of Uzbekistan has not publicly commented on the case’s merits or the broader diplomatic implications. Rabbi Kogan, 28, was a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and had been living in the UAE for several years. He was reported missing in Dubai in November 2024, and his body was later found in Al Ain, near the Omani border. According to The Wall Street Journal, the suspects attempted to kidnap Kogan and transport him to Oman. Some of the perpetrators reportedly fled to Turkey following the incident. The Israeli government has denounced the killing as an “anti-Semitic terrorist attack.” Rabbi Kogan had played a key role in fostering Jewish life in the UAE following the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. He was instrumental in establishing kosher food services and founding the country’s first Jewish education center.

Court Cases officials Crime Russia

Uzbek Court Sentences Ten in Attempted Assassination of Allamjonov

On February 12, Uzbekistan's Military Court announced the verdict in the attempted assassination of Komil Allamjonov, sentencing ten individuals to prison. The convicted are Shukhrat Rasulov, Shokhrukh Akhmedov, and Ismail Jahongirov, who received 23-year sentences; Javlan Yunusov - sentenced to 18 years and 6 months; Doniyor Tashkhodjayev received a 7-year sentence; the remaining five defendants were given undisclosed prison terms. Following the verdict, Allamjonov took to Facebook to reflect on the challenges of the past five months and express gratitude that the case had been resolved. “The truth can be twisted or hidden, but it will always find its way to the surface. It is destined to be revealed. A thousand thanks to Allah. Those who flee from people cannot escape the Almighty. There is still much to accomplish and many trials yet to come. May Allah grant us the strength to face them with dignity and a clear conscience. May Allah bless us all with success!” Allamjonov, a former senior official in Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, was attacked near his home in Qibray on October 26, 2024. Gunmen opened fire on his car, but he was unharmed. Authorities launched an immediate criminal investigation. By October 27, the first suspect had been detained. A month later, on November 25, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced the arrests of seven people, including Javlan Yunusov, who was extradited from South Korea. Another suspect was later detained in Kazakhstan. In December, Uzbekistan placed two Russian citizens, Bislan Rasayev and Shamil Temirkhanov, on an Interpol international wanted list. Authorities accuse them of involvement in the attack, as well as illegal border crossing, failure to report a crime, and illegal possession of firearms. Reports suggest that Rasayev and Temirkhanov were hired for $1.5 million to assassinate both Allamjonov and Dmitry Li, the director of Uzbekistan’s Agency for Promising Projects. On December 26, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov publicly denied any Chechen involvement in the attack. However, he also made remarks targeting Allamjonov and Li, warning that they would be held accountable for their "aspersions." Some Uzbek politicians condemned Kadyrov's statement, viewing it as interference in Uzbekistan's internal affairs or even as an act of terrorist intimidation.

United States illegal Crime Export/Import

Kyrgyz Citizen Arrested in U.S. for Illegally Exporting Firearms to Russia

A Kyrgyz citizen has been accused of illegally exporting American semi-automatic rifles and pistols from the United States to Russia via Kyrgyzstan. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the charges on its official website. U.S. federal authorities in Brooklyn have indicted 46-year-old Kyrgyz national Sergei Zharnovnikov, alleging that he orchestrated a criminal scheme to smuggle American firearms to Russia using a front company. “Zharnovnikov traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States last month and was arrested on January 24, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, while attending the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show to meet with U.S. gun dealers,” the Department of Justice stated. Zharnovnikov is currently in custody and is set to stand trial in the Eastern District of New York at a later date. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison. According to U.S. prosecutors, Zharnovnikov conspired with others to violate American export control laws by shipping firearms to Russian buyers. He reportedly signed a five-year, $900,000 contract with a Virginia-based arms company to export rifles from the U.S. to Kyrgyzstan. However, the company’s export license explicitly prohibited the resale or re-export of these weapons to Russia. Investigators allege that Zharnovnikov disregarded these restrictions, instead selling the firearms to a front company in Kyrgyzstan, which then transferred them to Russia. U.S. authorities discovered that the Bishkek-based company had signed a $10 million contract with a Moscow-based firm, suggesting the weapons may have been delivered in multiple shipments. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York John J. Durham emphasized the gravity of the case: “The defendant used a complex scheme to circumvent export controls and ship semi-automatic firearms to Russia. Today’s indictment sends a clear message that we will vigorously enforce laws designed to protect U.S. foreign policy and national security.” This is the second high-profile case involving the smuggling of American weapons to Russia. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kyrgyz security services had intercepted attempts to re-export American-made arms and weapons components to Russian organized crime groups.

Crime Court Cases Mass Media Legislation

Kazakhstan Moves to Strengthen Penalties for Inciting Ethnic Hatred

The Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan has proposed tougher legislation to prevent interethnic and interreligious conflicts. Minister Aida Balayeva emphasized the need to strengthen legal responsibility for inciting discord, highlighting that approximately 4,000 religious associations representing 18 different confessions are registered in Kazakhstan. According to Balayeva, the existing legal framework should be reinforced. "It is necessary to accelerate the process of legal support for this issue," she stated. She added that the government continues to provide grant support to ethno-cultural associations as part of broader efforts to maintain interethnic harmony and unity. The ministry is also intensifying its fight against misinformation and working to enhance the security of the country’s information space. As part of these initiatives, the law "On Mass Media" was adopted. In 2023, authorities identified more than 67,000 violations of the law on online platforms, leading to the removal of over 18,000 pieces of content deemed unlawful. Additionally, efforts are underway to improve journalism standards, including specialized training programs for media professionals. Kazakhstan’s current legislation already imposes strict penalties for inciting social, national, tribal, racial, class, or religious discord. Under Article 174 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, offenders can face imprisonment for up to 20 years. Several recent cases highlight the government's determination to enforce these laws. In January 2025, Kazakhstani journalist Dana Ormanbayeva was placed on an international wanted list on charges of inciting ethnic hatred. At the beginning of the year, Temirlan Ensebek, author of the satirical blog QazNews24, was arrested for two months for publishing material allegedly containing clear signs of inciting interethnic hatred by insulting representatives of an entire ethnic group.

Bride Kidnapping Women's rights Crime Parliament Legislation

Abenov Among Kazakh Deputies Targeting Bride Kidnapping

Kazakhstani parliamentarian Murat Abenov has proposed introducing a specific article in the Criminal Code to criminalize bride theft, suggesting prison terms of up to ten years. While some lawmakers support his initiative, others believe existing laws are sufficient to address such crimes. Proposal to Address Bride Theft According to Abenov, three crimes against women have been recorded this year under Article 125 of the Criminal Code, which covers “Kidnapping.” However, Abenov believes the actual number of such cases is significantly higher. For instance, over the past three years, 214 women filed complaints related to bride theft, but only ten cases went to trial. Abenov has proposed a separate article in the Criminal Code to specifically address bride theft, with penalties designed to reflect the severity of the crime. His proposal includes: A minimum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of 2,000 monthly calculation indices (MCI), equivalent to 7.8 million KZT ($15,000), for kidnapping a woman to force her into marriage; If the abducted woman is under 18, if force is used, or if the crime involves multiple perpetrators, the penalty would increase to a fine of 5,000 MCI (19.6 million KZT or $37,800) or three to five years in prison; and In cases where unintentional harm to the victim’s health occurs during the abduction, the sentence could be up to ten years in prison. "If a woman is held against her will and subjected to psychological or physical pressure, the law must protect the victim," Abenov emphasized, confirming that the proposal has already been submitted to a working group for consideration. Debate Among Lawmakers This is not the first time the issue of bride theft has been raised in Kazakhstan’s parliament. In December 2023, another Mazhilis deputy, Yedil Zhanbyrshin, introduced a similar initiative, which was supported by Mazhilis Speaker Yerlan Koshanov. However, that proposal was not formalized into legislation. Some deputies argue that existing laws, such as Article 125, are sufficient. This article provides for imprisonment of four to seven years for kidnapping, regardless of the victim’s identity. "We already have articles in the Criminal Code addressing illegal detention and kidnapping. I’m not convinced we need to specify that it’s a fiancée. What’s the difference? Whether I kidnap a child, an adult, or a senior citizen, it is already a criminal offense," said MP Aidos Sarim. Bride Theft in Central Asia As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, 18 criminal cases of bride theft were initiated in Kazakhstan in 2023. Six of these cases occurred in the country’s largest city, Almaty, while one was recorded in the capital, Astana. Circumventing the bride price, alyp qashu – “take and flee” - is a ritual form of bride-snatching endemic throughout much of Central Asia. With the Soviets having destroyed swathes of local identity, debate rages as to the ethnographic roots of the practice, but what is certain is that it was on the increase in the 2010s. Most prevalent regionally in Kyrgyzstan, where it is known as Ala...