Transnational crime group led by local bosses uncovered in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz – Since the beginning of the year, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has initiated 51 criminal cases against leaders and members of criminal organizations in the country, according to Polisia.kz.

"The Almaty Police Department is investigating criminal cases involving members of an organized crime group (OCG) who, under the guise of security services, were actually engaged in hooliganism, extortion, and weapons possession. Their illegal activities were halted by officers of the Department for Combating Organized Crime in January of this year," said Kuandyk Alpys, a representative of the MIA's Organized Crime Department.

Additionally, seven cases are under investigation involving organized crime groups with signs of transnational activity, including one case concerning the creation of a criminal community.
For the first time, a pre-trial investigation has been launched against representatives of Kazakhstan’s criminal underworld for the creation and leadership of a transnational criminal organization.
Individuals involved in these cases have committed serious and especially serious crimes not only in Kazakhstan but also abroad.
In cooperation with the National Security Committee, the State Revenue Committee, and the General Prosecutor's Office, a range of measures are being taken to gather evidence — including at the international level. In total, over 150 individuals are being prosecuted.

"In the past two years, over 90 criminal cases related to the creation, leadership, and participation in organized criminal groups have been completed and sent to court. Court rulings have already been issued against 13 OCGs, and more than 130 defendants have been sentenced to imprisonment of up to 20 years.
For example, in a multi-episode criminal case against an OCG involved in theft from facilities of JSC Qarmet, 24 individuals, including the leader (sentenced to 12 years in prison), received various prison terms," Alpys added.

It was emphasized that combating organized crime — including transnational networks — remains a top priority under the special control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan.