Public Security - The Times Of Central Asia

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AI Facial Recognition System Being Tested in Two Cities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has launched a national video monitoring system powered by artificial intelligence technologies. The project, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Security Committee, and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, aims to enhance surveillance capabilities across key locations in the country. The system is designed to recognize faces, detect abandoned objects, capture offenses, and identify vehicles by make, model, and color. Critical sites such as railway stations, airports, hotels, streets, intersections, and shopping malls are priority areas for implementation. During the World Nomad Games in Astana, the technology was reportedly instrumental in locating lost children and missing persons. Authorities also noted that the system helped detain 46 wanted individuals in Astana and 30 in Almaty. Proponents argue that these technologies could contribute to improving public safety and reducing crime. Kazakhstan’s initiative follows a broader global trend of integrating AI into “smart city” systems, similar to developments in China, Russia, and some European countries. Officials say the system will be expanded with additional cameras nationwide to increase monitoring coverage. To date, more than 1.3 million video cameras have been installed in Kazakhstan, with 310,000 of them connected to operational control centers and police duty stations. Advocates of the system highlight its potential to deter crime and bolster public security, although concerns about privacy and misuse of surveillance technology have been raised internationally. Worldwide, AI video surveillance systems are being adopted to improve law enforcement and public safety. In China, they are used for facial recognition to track criminals and prevent offenses. Russia has integrated AI into its video systems to detect potential threats, while in the UK, intelligent cameras are used for crowd management and event security. While supporters emphasize the benefits of such systems in enabling faster responses to incidents and reducing crime, the deployment of AI in surveillance has sparked ongoing debates over privacy, civil liberties, and the potential for misuse.

Human rights Social Services Prison Ombudsmen Public Security

Kyrgyzstan’s Talas Province Faces Urgent Need for Proper Detention Facility

Kyrgyz Ombudswoman Jamilya Dzhamanbayeva has voiced serious concerns over the substandard conditions in the temporary detention center (TDC) in Talas Province. During a recent visit, detainees reported inadequate facilities and breaches of detention standards, according to the Ombudsman Institute. Dzhamanbayeva revealed that the TDC houses individuals awaiting trial alongside those already charged with crimes—a practice explicitly prohibited under Kyrgyz law. “At the time of the visit, there were 17 individuals suspected or accused of crimes in the TDC, which has a total capacity of 36 people. Among them, two were women. The TDC is situated in the yard of the Department of Internal Affairs, but in a separate building,” stated the Ombudsman Institute. Lack of a Dedicated Proper Pre-Trial Facility The absence of an investigative detention center (IDC) in Talas Province forces authorities to detain pre-trial prisoners in the TDC, mixing them with individuals under investigation. This not only violates national laws but raises significant human rights concerns. During her visit, Dzhamanbayeva inspected the cells and spoke directly with detainees to assess their conditions. She called on the Kyrgyz government to expedite the construction of a dedicated IDC in Talas Province to comply with international standards and Kyrgyz legal obligations. Inhumane Living Conditions The National Center for the Prevention of Torture has also criticized the state of the Talas TDC, identifying severe deficiencies: Lack of natural light: Windows are blocked by metal structures, preventing daylight from entering. Inadequate sleeping arrangements: Detainees sleep on the floor due to a shortage of beds and bedding. Unsanitary environment: The facility suffers from poor hygiene and overall neglect. These conditions exacerbate the already critical situation for detainees, underscoring the pressing issue of detention standards in Talas Province.

Crime Opposition Justice Coup attempt Public Security

Kyrgyz Police Claim to Have Foiled Another Seizure of Power

Operational services from Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry have detained alleged organizers of mass riots accused of plotting a violent seizure of power, according to a statement. The Main Department of Criminal Investigation received intelligence about a group preparing to destabilize the socio-political situation in the country. Reportedly, the group had a clear division of roles, including organizers, accomplices, financiers, and executors. The plan allegedly involved using sports events in the suburbs of Bishkek as a cover to spread anti-constitutional slogans and incite violence on November 17, the day of elections to local councils. The Interior Ministry has opened a criminal case under several articles, including charges related to preparing for mass riots and attempting to seize power. During the investigation, multiple suspects were detained, including foreign nationals and individuals who had participated in armed conflicts outside Kyrgyzstan. Authorities seized a range of equipment from the detainees, including a grenade, ammunition, drones, and a thermal imager. Among those detained is a former deputy prosecutor general of Kyrgyzstan, who, according to investigators, financed and coordinated the group. Searches of a warehouse linked to the suspects revealed supplies intended for the rioters, including alcoholic beverages and ingredients for cooking pilaf. The detainees face charges under multiple articles of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code, including forming an organized group, financing criminal activities, and participating in armed conflicts abroad. The court has ordered that they remain in custody until January 10, 2025. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to identify additional members and organizers of the group. Kyrgyzstan has faced multiple coup attempts and incidents of mass unrest in recent years. In July 2024, the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported preventing an attempted power seizure by detaining a group accused of planning mass riots to destabilize the country. In June 2023, the GKNB detained more suspects in a coup plot. In May 2024, mass riots erupted in Bishkek after a conflict between residents and foreign students, resulting in 15 injuries and the detention of 29 individuals.

Healthcare health security High education Public health Public Security

Kyrgyzstan Faces Critical Shortage of 5,000 Doctors

Kyrgyzstan's hospitals are struggling with a shortage of medical staff, with an estimated need for around 5,000 more doctors nationwide, according to Deputy Health Minister Kaarmanbek Baidavletov. He shared these figures during a Jogorku Kenesh meeting, highlighting the urgency of the issue. To address this issue, the Ministry of Health is negotiating with the president's regional representatives to develop solutions. In some districts, local authorities are helping young specialists by taking over utility payments to ease doctors' working conditions. Baidavletov said there should be one doctor for every 1,500 people, but more staff is needed in remote regions and central hospitals. Kyrgyzstan's healthcare system faces several serious challenges. One key problem is the need for more medical personnel, especially in remote regions that lack hematology, neonatology, and pediatrics specialists. In addition, the country has a high incidence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, especially among women. The Women's Health initiative has been launched to enhance awareness and early diagnosis of these diseases. Another initiative focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the WHO supports. This program provides diagnostic tools and training for medical staff and assesses the prevalence of AMR in Kyrgyzstan to improve clinical protocols and policies in this area.

Security internal affairs Public Security Police

Kazakhstan’s Police Step Up Patrols Near Synagogues and Israeli Diplomatic Facilities

In Kazakhstan, police have intensified patrolling near synagogues and Israeli diplomatic facilities. This was reported on October 2 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to Shyngys Alekeshev, head of the ministry's department of information policy, the embassy facilities are, as before, under constant police protection, ensuring their safety in the current situation. “All religious sites have also long been under the control of the IAB; patrol routes are closer to these sites. Additionally, video monitoring of the adjacent territory is carried out through the DSC cameras,” he said. On the night of October 1 to 2, Iran fired rockets at the territory of Israel in response to the Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon and the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. According to the Iranian side, this was only the first wave of the attack, targeting key Israeli military and strategic sites. Earlier, it was reported that Iran was planning to use ballistic missiles in the attack, drawing a sharp reaction from the US. The White House has warned Iran of possible severe consequences if the aggression continues. The Israeli operation in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah facilities, resulted in significant casualties, with 95 people killed and another 172 wounded. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry has already condemned the airstrike on the residence of the head of the UAE's diplomatic mission in Sudan and called for restraint by urging the parties to resolve conflicts through diplomatic methods.