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Kazakhstan Moves to Legalize Private Detective Services

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has opened a public consultation on a draft law titled “On Private Detective Activity,” initiated by members of the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. The proposed legislation would introduce a licensing system for private detectives, aiming to formalize and regulate the profession. According to the ministry’s press office, the bill seeks to establish a legal framework for private investigation services and to expand citizens’ access to professional assistance in defending their rights and lawful interests. If adopted, the law would allow Kazakh citizens to obtain qualified help in gathering information for use in court, as well as in criminal and administrative proceedings. “The proposed legislation introduces mandatory licensing, which will eliminate cases where unqualified or irresponsible individuals conduct investigations,” the ministry stated. “Only licensed professionals will be permitted to provide such services.” The draft law also provides for strict state oversight of detective agencies, enabling citizens to file complaints with government bodies regarding a detective’s actions. Additionally, licensed private detectives would be required to carry professional liability insurance to compensate for any damages caused by unlawful conduct. “The bill aims to introduce clear professional standards, protect citizens’ interests, prevent unauthorized interference in private life, and build public trust in legal mechanisms for protecting rights,” the ministry added. Kazakhstan currently lacks a specific legal framework regulating private detective activity, despite multiple legislative efforts since 1995. The first such initiative dates back to 1995, but the proposed legislation was not approved by parliament. In 2013, the Ministry of Justice developed a revised version, which reached the Mazhilis in 2015 in a shortened form. That effort was later withdrawn by the government in 2017. The current draft, developed by parliamentarians in 2023, marks the most advanced attempt to date at legalizing private detective work in the country. While there is no formal ban on private investigation services in Kazakhstan, the sector currently operates in a legal gray zone. Experts estimate that around 20 business entities in Kazakhstan operate either wholly or partly as private detective agencies. However, the exact number of individuals working as private investigators remains unclear. Analysts believe the market includes a significant “shadow segment,” raising concerns about potential rights violations by unlicensed actors. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is undergoing a broader restructuring of its law enforcement system, including the recent transfer of anti-corruption functions to the National Security Committee. Experts argue that the creation of a transparent, state-regulated private investigation sector could become a vital component of this reform effort.

Crocus City Hall

Lawyers for Crocus City Hall Victims Seek Agalarov Asset Seizure

Lawyers representing victims of the March 2024 terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow have petitioned Russia’s Investigative Committee to freeze the assets of businessmen Araz and Emin Agalarov. Attorney Igor Trunov, who represents several victims, told RBC, a major Russian business news outlet, that the request targets companies under the Agalarovs’ Crocus Group: JSC Crocus, the private security firm Crocus Profi, and JSC Crocus International. According to Trunov, JSC Crocus was responsible for the fire suppression system and evacuation mechanisms at the venue. Crocus Group organized cultural events at Crocus City Hall, while Crocus Profi provided security services. Lawyers argue that these companies failed to ensure adequate safety and should bear partial responsibility for the attack’s human toll. “We are requesting data from the Unified State Register of Rights to identify remaining assets, as properties are being sold and funds moved abroad,” Trunov said. He added that the petition forms part of the broader criminal investigation, which includes two separate proceedings: one targeting the perpetrators of the attack, now in court, and another examining the actions of those responsible for managing the building. The Crocus City Hall attack occurred on March 22, 2024, when armed assailants stormed the concert venue during a performance and set fire to parts of the building. The attack killed 146 people and injured hundreds more, making it one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in modern Russian history. In addition to the terrorism charges, a parallel case was opened in March under Article 238 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which covers the provision of services that fail to meet safety standards when such violations result in deaths. Investigators concluded that the fire suppression system did not activate, allowing the blaze to spread rapidly. The use of highly flammable construction materials during renovation further intensified the disaster. According to Trunov, at least 45 people died directly from extreme heat and toxic smoke inhalation, deaths that might have been prevented had safety systems functioned properly. The Agalarov family, long prominent in Russia’s business and entertainment spheres, has also faced scrutiny in Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, Araz Agalarov’s plans to develop the Sea Breeze Charvak resort complex near Tashkent sparked intense public backlash earlier this year. Environmental activists raised concerns about the potential destabilization of fragile clay soil along the Charvak reservoir and broader ecological risks. Despite widespread opposition, the Uzbek government approved the project, fueling national debates on transparency, environmental governance, and the role of foreign developers in the tourism sector. RBC reported that it had requested comment from representatives of the Agalarovs regarding the asset seizure petition, but no official response has been issued. For the victims’ legal teams, the central question is whether accountability for the Crocus City Hall massacre will be confined to the attackers themselves or extended to those responsible for ensuring the safety of one of Russia’s most prominent cultural venues.

Corruption

Prestige or Coercion? Turkmen Police Questioned Over Costly Leader Watches

Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an internal investigation after reports emerged that police officers were purchasing high-priced watches featuring images of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, his father and former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and state symbols. According to an internal directive sent to regional departments, police personnel must submit written explanations detailing whether they bought the watches voluntarily or under pressure from superiors. The ministry also announced inspections of police uniforms to ensure compliance with official standards. The directive reminds officers that wearing rings, medallions, or signet rings, aside from wedding bands, is strictly prohibited while on duty. Internal security units have been tasked with monitoring adherence. Prestige or Coercion? The Times of Central Asia previously reported that such watches have become a status symbol within law enforcement circles. Manufactured by Sagat Turkmenistan, the watches feature silver cases with gold plating, gemstone embellishments, and insignias of state agencies. They retail for between 3,000 and 5,000 TMT ($870-1,450). However, many residents allege the watches are frequently used as informal bribes. “If you are told that a criminal case will be brought against you, it means you need to buy such a watch and go to the investigator. This does not mean that the case will be closed. But it’s the first installment,” said a resident of Bayramali with experience of dealing with the police. Watches with white straps are seen as particularly prestigious. Sources say that investigators often request the strap be replaced, at the giver’s expense, to enhance the watch’s appearance. Mandatory Purchases for Civil Servants This phenomenon extends beyond law enforcement. In May 2024, The Times of Central Asia reported that heads of state institutions in the Balkan region were required to purchase similar watches. Prices ranged from 1,500 to 3,000 TMT ($435-870 at the official rate; $75-150 on the black market). High-end models featured portraits of both Berdimuhamedovs, each in differently colored ties, alongside the Turkmen flag and map. Less expensive variants depicted only the president, or a simplified combination of national symbols. The purchase requirement applied to all budget-funded institutions, including schools, hospitals, and transportation agencies. Different “rates” were imposed based on the official’s seniority: lower-level managers paid 1,500 manats, while higher-level administrators paid up to 3,000. The tradition of producing watches featuring national leaders dates back to the rule of Saparmurat Niyazov, under whom such accessories were distributed to schoolchildren and state employees. Serdar Berdimuhamedov has continued this legacy with his own line of commemorative timepieces.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence to Assist Criminal Investigations in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has launched a pilot project to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into law enforcement operations. The initiative, titled “Digital Assistant to the Investigator,” is being implemented by the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in a district police department in Astana. The system was officially introduced last week, with participation from Sabit Nurlybay, Chairman of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor’s Office, and Sanjar Adilov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. Built on AI algorithms and large-scale data processing, the digital assistant is designed to support investigators by identifying connections between cases, generating predictions, and offering procedural recommendations both for conducting investigations and preventing crime. According to a statement from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the system is divided into three main modules: Investigation Planning - Upon registration of a criminal case, the system classifies the offense, outlines an investigative strategy based on existing circumstances, and suggests relevant witnesses to question and expert examinations to conduct Testimony Processing - AI transcribes spoken testimony into text during interviews, simultaneously analyzing speech patterns and behavior to detect contradictions and inconsistencies Document Generation - Based on interview data, the system drafts investigation documents that the investigator only needs to verify and sign The platform also generates final case documents, integrating information from the specific investigation along with relevant judicial precedents. Officials say the AI tool is expected to reduce investigation times and offload routine technical tasks from investigators. The initiative follows Kazakhstan’s unveiling of the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia last month, a move aimed at bolstering national digital infrastructure and AI development. Kazakhstan’s push for AI integration aligns with findings from the International Monetary Fund, which last year ranked the country as the regional leader in AI readiness.

Corruption Allegations

New York Mayor Eric Adams Under Scrutiny for Ties to Uzbek Businessman

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing renewed federal scrutiny over alleged ties to a Brooklyn-based businessman with close links to the Uzbek government. As The Times of Central Asia reported last year, the investigation centers on whether Adams helped improve Uzbekistan’s public image in exchange for campaign contributions. According to court documents reviewed by THE CITY, the businessman, Tolib Mansurov, a dual citizen of the United States and Uzbekistan, allegedly served as an intermediary for the Uzbek government while also helping to fund Adams’ mayoral campaigns. In return, Adams is said to have provided favorable public exposure that enhanced Uzbekistan’s reputation, despite the country’s record of human rights abuses. Prosecutors describe Mansurov as a well-connected figure who maintained frequent communication with officials at Uzbekistan’s mission to the United Nations. He organized multiple events involving Adams and the Uzbek-American community in New York. One notable event was a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green on September 2, 2023, during which Adams became the first New York City mayor to raise the Uzbek flag in the financial district. “Happy Uzbekistan Independence Day!” Mansurov posted on social media. “Mayor Eric Adams made history by being the first to raise the Uzbek flag on Wall Street!” Mansurov also arranged a roundtable at City Hall and hosted various cultural gatherings, including Ramadan dinners and community meetings, through the Silk Road Foundation, a nonprofit he founded. Prosecutors allege the foundation coordinated closely with Uzbekistan’s UN mission. Alongside his community engagement, Mansurov reportedly funneled illegal straw donations into Adams’ campaign. In one instance, he allegedly reimbursed four employees who made individual contributions. He later arranged ten more donations of $1,000 each, again reimbursing at least one donor, according to investigators. In private messages, Adams reportedly referred to Mansurov as “my strongest go-to person.” In May 2024, months after the FBI had seized Adams’ electronic devices, the mayor used a new phone and the encrypted app Signal to ask Mansurov for a favor. He requested that Mansurov quickly gather 20 donations of $250 each to meet the threshold for matching public campaign funds. Mansurov has not been charged but is cooperating with investigators. He has denied any involvement in money laundering, though prosecutors say he received over $11 million from a Cyprus-based entity, which he allegedly used to purchase real estate in Brooklyn. This is not the first time Adams’ campaign financing has come under legal scrutiny. Federal prosecutors have previously accused him of accepting illicit donations and perks from Turkish interests. The FBI is also examining his fundraising ties to individuals connected to China. Commenting on the broader implications, exiled Uzbek journalist Shahida Yakub said, “The regime is trying to gain legitimacy in the West. They always want to be liked by the U.S. The mayor of New York is important.” Federal investigators continue to probe Adams’ relationships with foreign governments and the role of campaign donations in potentially influencing his political conduct.

Gas Explosion

Samarkand Issues Safety Warnings after Gas Explosion Kills Seven in Home

The Uzbek city of Samarkand is intensifying a home safety campaign following the death of seven people in what authorities call “a flash of a gas-air mixture” in a house last week. Emergency officials in the Samarkand region have said an investigation is underway into the explosion in the city on the night of May 8-9. “The kinetic impact of the flash caused the collapse of the reinforced concrete structures of the house, damaging the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors and the basement. There was no fire,” the regional emergency situations department said on Telegram. It reported six deaths, and several media outlets in Uzbekistan later reported a seventh death. The victims were found under the rubble. Since the accident, regional emergency officials have issued appeals to residents to not install non-standard gas cylinders on gas stoves and gas appliances. They are also advising people to take other safety measures, including not connecting gas cylinders to equipment using rubber hoses that can’t operate under specific pressure; regularly checking for gas leaks by using soapy water on cylinder connections and valves; and ensuring that flammable items are at least 10 meters away from gas cylinders. Following those rules “will prevent accidents that could happen to you and your loved ones!” the emergency situations department warned. In a separate incident on May 7, two people were killed and one was injured in an explosion at a gas station in the Katakurgan district of Samarkand region. A fire broke out during the fueling of two diesel fuel storage tanks, according to reports on UzDaily.com and other Uzbek media. The reports attributed the information to the state Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety.