Security forces have detained 15 possible members of an organised criminal group linked to crime boss Arman Dzhumageldiev, known as Wild Arman.
“In August of this year, in coordination with the National Security Committee and the General Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous detentions and search operations were carried out in the cities of Almaty and Shymkent against 15 possible members of the ‘Wild Arman’ organised criminal group,” said the head of the department for combating organised crime at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kuandyk Alpys.
It should be recalled that Arman Dzhumageldiev himself was detained back in 2022. He is charged with kidnapping 24 random passers-by during the January events in Almaty.
In February 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained alleged members of the ‘Wild Arman’ organised criminal group. According to one version, during the riots the criminal group was supervised by National Security Committee officers.
As noted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, despite the arrest of the leader and main members of the organised criminal group, other members continued their illegal activities while at large.
The department reported that in this case, authorities conducted 40 search operations and seized more than 10 firearms, ammunition and other material evidence of the organised criminal group's illegal activities.
“Together with the Committee of the Criminal Executive System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, measures are being taken to prevent destabilisation of the operational situation and to ensure proper detention conditions in institutions where the leaders and active members of this organised criminal group are held,” the ministry stated.
It should be recalled that in September last year, about 10 victims, some defendants and their lawyers, as well as witnesses insisted that court hearings in the ‘Wild Arman’ case be held in closed session. The reason for this was threats made against them by the defendants.
We have also previously reminded readers about the reputation of Wild Arman and the violent prison riot in 2010 under his leadership, which resulted in two people being burned to death and more than 80 sustaining bodily injuries.