Latest news with #Kazakhs
The Diplomat
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Propaganda, Pay, and Prison: The Kazakhs Fighting in Ukraine
While many Central Asian migrants have been coerced or pressured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, a number of Kazakh citizens have taken up arms voluntarily. On January 14, a Kazakh citizen, given the pseudonym 'G' by the court, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for fighting with the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group. He is not alone. While a few Kazakhs have reportedly fought on the Ukrainian side, the majority of those who have traveled to the frontlines appear to have joined the Russian forces. In April, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's 'I Want to Live' project published a list of 661 Kazakh nationals believed to have joined the Russian military. Of those, 78 were confirmed killed in action – a number limited to individuals the ministry could verify with confidence. While many Kazakh nationals fighting for Russia were likely labor migrants in search of a better income, who subsequently ended up at the front, others have crossed the border with the intention of joining the military from the outset. The Russian government continues to welcome new recruits, while Kazakhstan's government attempts to dissuade its citizens from taking part in what it deems a foreign war, reminding them of the significant legal consequences. Under Kazakh law, fighting in foreign wars can lead to up to nine years in prison. However, this legal risk has not deterred everyone. 'G,' the man sentenced in January, for instance, reportedly claimed he was motivated by ideological reasons, citing the treatment of Russian speakers in Ukraine as his main motivation for joining the war. For others, the incentive may be simpler: money. According to Kazakh journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov, newer fighters have, like previous recruits, been heavily influenced by Russian propaganda. However, he describes financial incentives as the final push. 'These are people who sat in front of the TV for many years, watched Russian channels, were exposed to propaganda,' Akhmedyarov told Radio Azattyk. 'They shared this rhetoric, but they had no incentive. When an incentive appeared in the form of money, they got off their butts and went to war.' Former fighters have reported monthly salaries of up to 240,000 rubles (about $3,000) – a figure more than four times higher than Kazakhstan's average monthly wage of $673. Recruitment efforts remain visible, with social media posts and even physical flyers in public spaces offering enlistment contracts. While most of these materials come from pro-Russian sources, leaflets seeking recruits to fight for Ukraine have also been spotted in Kazakhstan. The leaflets posted around the country have prompted Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs to react. In April, the ministry deemed it necessary to remind Kazakh citizens of the long prison sentences that could await people who join the war in Ukraine. The reminder mentioned not only the nine years Kazakhs could receive for participation in military action abroad, but also the chance of a life sentence for mercenary activity. The case of 'G,' convicted in January, is hardly an isolated one. In April 2023, Kazakhstan's National Security Committee announced it was investigating 10 citizens for acting as mercenaries in Ukraine. Later that year, at least one of these individual was sentenced for participating in combat with the Wagner Group. Authorities have since intensified efforts to prosecute such cases. As of April 2025, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs reported 116 active cases related to citizens' participation in foreign armed conflicts. Three are being prosecuted under laws specifically targeting mercenary activity, while the remainder fall under Kazakhstan's broader statute banning unauthorized involvement in overseas conflicts – a legal framework previously used against those who fought for the Islamic State in Syria. While the exact number of Kazakhs who have fought in Ukraine remains uncertain, the share of soldiers fighting, as reported by Ukraine, suggests that the volume of cases is not insignificant. With no end to the war in sight, Kazakh authorities continue to expend resources raising awareness of the consequences of foreign military service whether for Russia, Ukraine, or any other party. But as economic hardship and ideological polarization persist, it remains unclear how many more Kazakh citizens will choose to risk prison, or death, for a cause that may or may not be theirs.
Time Business News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time Business News
Inside the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile: A Global Voice for an Unrecognized Nation
The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) is the official voice of a stateless people fighting for freedom. Founded in 2004 in Washington, D.C., the ETGE represents the Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other ethnic groups from East Turkistan—a region now controlled by China and officially called the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous of the region's native people reject the name 'Xinjiang,' instead using East Turkistan, which reflects their cultural identity and history. The ETGE was formed to continue their pursuit of independence after the region was taken over by China in 1949.A Government Without a Country Though not a recognized state, the ETGE operates like a democratic government. It has an elected President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and a Parliament made up of representatives from East Turkistani communities around the world. Elections are held every four years, giving diaspora communities a voice in their leadership. The ETGE's main goal is simple but ambitious: restore independence for East Turkistan. Along the way, they advocate for human rights, religious freedom, and democracy—values they believe are under threat in the region It Exists Since China took control, East Turkistan has seen growing international concern over reports of human rights abuses, mass surveillance, and the detainment of over a million Uyghurs and other Muslims in camps. The ETGE works to bring attention to these issues and push for global support. It collaborates with Uyghur and East Turkistani organizations worldwide to raise awareness, gain support of governments, and keep the conversation going about what's happening in the Bigger PictureThe ETGE may not hold territory, but it's a powerful symbol of resistance. It gives East Turkistanis a structured way to stay connected, stay visible, and work toward a free and democratic future. As the global spotlight grows on China's policies in the region, the ETGE is making sure the world hears the voices of those who refuse to be forgotten. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Gulf Today
26-06-2025
- Gulf Today
Indonesia arrests 285 smugglers, seizes drugs
Indonesian authorities said they arrested 285 people suspected of drug trafficking, including 29 women and seven foreigners, and seized over half a tonne of narcotics during a two-month crackdown. Indonesia is a major hub for drug trafficking in Southeast Asia despite having strict drug laws, with convicted smugglers sometimes executed by firing squad. The head of the National Narcotic Agency, Marthinus Hukom, said the crackdown, launched between April and June across 20 provinces, also uncovered money laundering schemes by two drug syndicates and confiscated assets worth more than 26 billion rupiah (about $1.5 million). Thirty-six of the suspects, including 21 women, were paraded in front of reporters, along with confiscated drugs, in their orange prison uniforms and hands handcuffed. Hukom said the women arrested were mostly married without jobs outside the home. 'I call on Indonesian women to be more vigilant in establishing friendships both in the real world and in cyberspace,' he said during a joint press conference with officials from the security affairs ministry and the customs office who took part in the operation. One of the agency's deputies, Budi Wibowo, said authorities seized 683,885 grams (0.68 tonne) of crystal meth, marijuana, ecstasy, THC, hashish and amphetamines, adding this helped stop them falling into the hands of 'more than 1.3 million people.' Wibowo also said that drug syndicates have used various methods to distribute narcotics to users via land and sea transportation or mail services. The seven foreign nationals were an American, two Kazakhs, two Malaysians, an Indian and an Australian, Wibowo said. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. In a separate operation, authorities in the province of Riau Island, exposed in May two cases of drug smuggling in its waters and seized 2.7 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and 1.2 tonnes of ketamine, Hukom said. In 2023, authorities uncovered more than 52,000 of drug cases and confiscated 6.2 tonnes of crystal meth, 1.1 tonnes of marijuana and other types of synthetic narcotics, said Mochammad Hasan of the ministry of security affairs during the press conference. Associated Press
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
Indonesia arrests 285 in drug crackdown and seizes over half a ton of narcotics
Indonesia arrests 285 in drug crackdown and seizes over half a ton of narcotics (Image: AP) JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities said Monday they arrested 285 people suspected of drug trafficking, including 29 women and seven foreigners, and seized over half a ton of narcotics during a two-month crackdown. Indonesia is a major hub for drug trafficking in Southeast Asia despite having strict drug laws, with convicted smugglers sometimes executed by firing squad. The head of the National Narcotic Agency, Marthinus Hukom, said the crackdown, launched between April and June across 20 provinces, also uncovered money laundering schemes by two drug syndicates and confiscated assets worth more than 26 billion rupiah (about $1.5 million). Thirty-six of the suspects, including 21 women, were paraded in front of reporters, along with confiscated drugs, in their orange prison uniforms and hands handcuffed. Hukom said the women arrested were mostly married without jobs outside the home. "I call on Indonesian women to be more vigilant in establishing friendships both in the real world and in cyberspace," he said during a joint press conference with officials from the security affairs ministry and the customs office who took part in the operation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Ghaziabad Home Value Just Changed (Take a Look) Homes Values Click Here Undo One of the agency's deputies, Budi Wibowo, said authorities seized 683,885 grams (0.68 ton) of crystal meth, marijuana, ecstasy, THC, hashish and amphetamines, adding this helped stop them falling into the hands of "more than 1.3 million people." Wibowo also said that drug syndicates have used various methods to distribute narcotics to users via land and sea transportation or mail services. The seven foreign nationals were an American, two Kazakhs, two Malaysians, an Indian and an Australian, Wibowo said. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. In a separate operation, authorities in the province of Riau Island, exposed in May two cases of drug smuggling in its waters and seized 2.7 tons of crystal methamphetamine and 1.2 tons of ketamine, Hukom said Monday. In 2023, authorities uncovered more than 52,000 of drug cases and confiscated 6.2 tons of crystal meth, 1.1 tons of marijuana and other types of synthetic narcotics, said Mochammad Hasan of the ministry of security affairs during the press conference. Hasan said the number increased in 2024 with more than 56,000 cases and confiscated 7.5 tons of crystal meth and 3.3 tons of marijuana, with a combine value worth 7.5 trillion rupiah ($454.6 million). Authorities have arrested a total of 27,357 drug suspects by November 2024, he said. Early this month, three British nationals accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram (over 2 pounds) of cocaine into Indonesia were charged in a court on the tourist island of Bali. They face the death penalty under the country's strict drug laws. About 530 people, including 96 foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections' data showed. Indonesia's last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016.
Japan Today
24-06-2025
- Japan Today
Indonesia arrests 285 in drug crackdown and seizes over half a ton of narcotics
Indonesian police officers stand guard near various drugs seized in a nationwide crackdown in the past few months, before the start of a press conference at the Indonesian Customs headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) By NINIEK KARMINI and ANDI JATMIKO Indonesian authorities said Monday they arrested 285 people suspected of drug trafficking, including 29 women and seven foreigners, and seized over half a ton of narcotics during a two-month crackdown. Indonesia is a major hub for drug trafficking in Southeast Asia despite having strict drug laws, with convicted smugglers sometimes executed by firing squad. The head of the National Narcotic Agency, Marthinus Hukom, said the crackdown, launched between April and June across 20 provinces, also uncovered money laundering schemes by two drug syndicates and confiscated assets worth more than 26 billion rupiah (about $1.5 million). Thirty-six of the suspects, including 21 women, were paraded in front of reporters, along with confiscated drugs, in their orange prison uniforms and hands handcuffed. Hukom said the women arrested were mostly married without jobs outside the home. 'I call on Indonesian women to be more vigilant in establishing friendships both in the real world and in cyberspace,' he said during a joint press conference with officials from the security affairs ministry and the customs office who took part in the operation. One of the agency's deputies, Budi Wibowo, said authorities seized 683,885 grams (0.68 ton) of crystal meth, marijuana, ecstasy, THC, hashish and amphetamines, adding this helped stop them falling into the hands of 'more than 1.3 million people.' Wibowo also said that drug syndicates have used various methods to distribute narcotics to users via land and sea transportation or mail services. The seven foreign nationals were an American, two Kazakhs, two Malaysians, an Indian and an Australian, Wibowo said. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. In a separate operation, authorities in the province of Riau Island, exposed in May two cases of drug smuggling in its waters and seized 2.7 tons of crystal methamphetamine and 1.2 tons of ketamine, Hukom said Monday. In 2023, authorities uncovered more than 52,000 of drug cases and confiscated 6.2 tons of crystal meth, 1.1 tons of marijuana and other types of synthetic narcotics, said Mochammad Hasan of the ministry of security affairs during the press conference. Hasan said the number increased in 2024 with more than 56,000 cases and confiscated 7.5 tons of crystal meth and 3.3 tons of marijuana, with a combine value worth 7.5 trillion rupiah ($454.6 million). Authorities have arrested a total of 27,357 drug suspects by November 2024, he said. Early this month, three British nationals accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram (over 2 pounds) of cocaine into Indonesia were charged in a court on the tourist island of Bali. They face the death penalty under the country's strict drug laws. About 530 people, including 96 foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections' data showed. Indonesia's last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
