Law Enforcement - The Times Of Central Asia

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Drug Trafficking

Kazakhstan Proposes Cash Rewards for Citizens Who Report Drug Crimes

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is developing a plan to financially reward citizens who provide information leading to the resolution of drug-related crimes. The initiative was announced by Kuandyk Alzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Combating Drug Crime, during a press conference in Astana. “We are constantly improving legislation related to drug enforcement. Penalties for drug trafficking have been strengthened, and the list of controlled substances is regularly updated,” Alzhanov said. “We are now working with the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Bank to design a mechanism for converting seized criminal assets into state revenue, and to establish a reward system for citizens who assist in uncovering drug crimes.” Alzhanov noted that regional and city akims of republican significance will now be personally accountable for the drug situation in their jurisdictions. The Ministry has also launched a public testing initiative called Test in Every Home, encouraging Kazakhstani parents to use rapid drug tests to monitor their children. “These tests can identify drug use within minutes and help detect addiction at an early stage,” Alzhanov explained. From January to September 2025, law enforcement agencies seized over 26 tons of narcotics, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. The seizures included more than nine tons of marijuana, over one ton of synthetic drugs, and more than 600 kilograms of hashish. The remainder consisted of raw cannabis plants. Authorities also reported a sharp rise in illicit indoor drug cultivation. In 2025, police shut down 93 illegal greenhouse “phytolaboratories”, a fivefold increase compared to 2024. Alzhanov highlighted tougher penalties for synthetic drug production, including new legislation introduced earlier this year mandating life imprisonment for producers. In 2024, 29 synthetic drug labs were dismantled and 419 kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized. In the first nine months of 2025, authorities closed 12 labs and seized over one ton of synthetic substances, almost three times last year’s amount. These seizures prevented nearly 3 million single doses from entering the illegal market. During the same period, more than 6,000 drug-related offenses were documented, including 1,700 cases of drug sales and 300 cases of large-scale drug storage. Police also dismantled 16 organized criminal groups, three of which operated transnationally. Sixteen group leaders and 60 active members were detained. Authorities also seized roughly 24 tons of chemical substances, including 17 tons of precursors, as well as equipment used in synthetic drug manufacturing. In addition, officials recorded 379 cases of cultivation of narcotic plants, 117 smuggling incidents, and 170 cases of drug-related propaganda. Volunteer-supported raids removed over 25,000 graffiti and online drug resource links, while more than 35,000 bank cards tied to drug trafficking were blocked. Approximately $4.6 million in related funds were frozen. As reported previously by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakh authorities seized about six tons of drugs in the first half of 2025 and 21 tons over the entire previous year. This year’s escalation in enforcement underscores a marked intensification of the government’s anti-drug efforts.

Police

Twelve Years On, Tajikistan’s Police Reform Struggles to Deliver Real Change

Launched in 2013, Tajikistan’s police reform aimed to modernize law enforcement, increase transparency, and build public trust. Twelve years later, while some progress is acknowledged, experts say the main objectives remain largely unfulfilled. Signs of Progress Sadriddin Saidov, chairman of the Sughd regional branch of the Bar Association, notes improved accessibility to law enforcement. “Now citizens can file complaints through hotlines or electronically, which means people can reach out at any time,” he said. In remote areas, mobile police units, minibuses outfitted as service offices, now provide legal consultations and assistance. Gulchehra Kholmatova, Head of the Legal Assistance Group of the Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan, said there is increasing dialogue between civil society and the state. NGOs are more frequently invited to discuss human rights issues and, in some cases, are granted access to detention centers. Recent legislative changes have guaranteed detainees access to legal counsel and introduced safeguards against abuse. With international support, Tajik police officers now undergo human rights training aimed at preventing torture. Human rights advocate Larisa Aleksandrova cites specific gains in addressing domestic violence. The number of inspectors focused on preventing family violence has risen from 14 to 22, improving the registration and response to complaints. “The number of appeals to police regarding domestic violence has risen, and case registration has improved,” she said. Where the Reform Falls Short Yet many argue these reforms are more cosmetic than structural. Lawyer Bakhtiyor Nasrulloev contends the process resembles “degradation” rather than progress. “Access to local police stations has become more complicated due to multi-level controls and guards. This creates the impression that the police are distancing themselves from society, not moving closer,” he said. Nasrulloev criticized the reform as superficial, focusing on new uniforms and rebranding without addressing systemic issues. Kholmatova notes that public oversight of detention facilities remains weak, and torture cases often go unpunished. Aleksandrova adds that the reform slogan, “My police protect me,” has yet to become reality. “Nothing changes fundamentally. Even those who want to work honestly are constrained by a rigid system of control and subordination,” she said. Experts point to lingering Soviet-era practices, where success is measured by the number of cases opened rather than investigative quality. For Saidov, a key obstacle is low public engagement. “Reforms will succeed only if citizens actively express their opinions and proposals,” he said. Aleksandrova also highlights insufficient gender sensitivity in police responses to discrimination and domestic violence. What Experts Propose To move forward, Nasrulloev has called for a major restructuring that would separate investigative bodies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and remove them from prosecutorial control. He also suggested making district inspectors and patrol officers accountable to local governments to better address community needs. He recommended merging overlapping departments, including criminal investigations, drug control, and organized crime units, to reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency. Kholmatova highlighted the need for independent monitoring, greater transparency, and training that follows international human rights standards. Aleksandrova proposed mandatory video recordings of interrogations and the...

Law Enforcement

Kazakhstan Launches Sweeping Reform of Law Enforcement System

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a major reform of Kazakhstan’s law enforcement system, signaling a new phase in his broader political modernization agenda. Experts view the initiative as a natural progression of his previous institutional reforms. Crime Rates Decline, But Challenges Remain At an expanded meeting of law enforcement agencies on June 23, President Tokayev tasked his administration and the Security Council with conducting a comprehensive analysis of the sector within one week. The resulting report is expected to openly identify shortcomings and offer targeted solutions. Tokayev noted that since 2019, Kazakhstan's streets have become "calmer and safer." Overall, criminal offenses have nearly halved. Robberies, thefts, and hooliganism have decreased fourfold, and the murder rate has dropped by 30%. Crimes in public places have declined by 80%. The president also highlighted progress in combating domestic violence. A 2024 law introduced harsher penalties, contributing to a 30% decrease in crimes against women and children in 2025. Over five years, crimes violating women’s rights have halved. “The most important thing is that public awareness is changing. Our citizens show zero tolerance for cruelty and tyranny in the family. Victims of aggression and violence receive the necessary support,” Tokayev said. Law enforcement agencies also intensified operations against drug-related crime this year. Eighty-three drug laboratories were dismantled, and drug seizures rose by 84%. Sentences for narcotics production have been strengthened, including the possibility of life imprisonment. Despite progress, Tokayev acknowledged persistent gaps that pose risks to national security. Economic Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures The share of the shadow economy has declined from 23% of GDP in 2019 to 16%. While the figure remains high, Tokayev emphasized that the government continues to support law-abiding entrepreneurs while addressing unjustified criminal prosecutions of domestic businesses. The president also underscored that the General Prosecutor’s Office is monitoring hundreds of infrastructure projects involving foreign investment, totaling 34 trillion tenge ($66 million). Anti-corruption efforts remain a cornerstone of Tokayev’s agenda. Court-ordered funds confiscated from corrupt officials have financed public infrastructure: over the past three years, 150 billion tenge have been allocated to build 89 schools. Amnesty and Penal Reform In honor of the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution, Tokayev announced an amnesty for more than 15,000 inmates. The clemency applies primarily to women, minors, and the elderly. Excluded are those convicted of corruption, terrorism, extremism, sexual crimes against minors, and other grave offenses. Tokayev noted several recent judicial reforms, including the creation of a Constitutional Court, expanded powers for the human rights commissioner, and the abolition of the death penalty. The president also advocated for adopting international best practices in rehabilitating convicts. “Their return to normal life will be the best proof of the success of prison reform,” he said, citing international models where inmates can earn “credits” toward early release through good behavior, education, and participation in cultural and athletic programs. Tokayev called on local entrepreneurs to open production facilities in correctional institutions. “Such mutually beneficial partnerships are widespread abroad. The money earned will allow convicts to get back...

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.