One of the oldest markets in Almaty — the Green Bazaar — has found itself at the centre of disputes. Some traders are alleging pressure from the management. According to them, tenants are being asked for money to renew their contracts, are threatened, and are effectively being forced out of their trading spots. Among those involved in the conflict is Yulia Tskhai, the daughter of businessman Yakov Tskhai. The tenants are calling on the market's co-owner, Timur Kulibayev, to intervene.
According to ORDA, a tenant of 30 years, Raushan Orynbay, published a video address to the market owners. She says that since September 2022, a group led by Yulia Tskhai has been operating on the territory of the Green Bazaar. Alongside certain individuals named Yelena Pak, Saniya Danikerova, and Yuri Khan, the businesswoman claims they conducted inspections and demanded that trading spots be re-registered in their names.
"Lately, I have repeatedly sent letters to Mercury Properties. Because every day, 40 to 50 tenants come to me. However, I have not received a response to date. For many years, the market worked like clockwork, but in September 2022, Yulia Yakovlevna Tskhai, who introduced herself as the owner of the Green Bazaar, carried out strict inspections. They began demanding that workstations be re-registered in their names. They sought a double increase in rent. They openly threatened: 'If you don't pay, we won't renew the contract,'" said Raushan Orynbay.
She claims the money was collected in cash through a "black cash register". By her estimates, the scale of the extortion is huge — there are about 3,000 trading spots in the market.
In addition to financial pressure, the traders are alleging threats of physical violence. Orynbay said that the market's lawyer, Nurlan Kadyrbayev, tried to impose a fine of 390,000 tenge on her, and after she refused, she was subjected to harassment.
"When that didn't work, certain individuals named Yura and Dmitry harassed me for a whole month, slandering me in front of others. And it even came to physical assault. They didn't present any documents. They speak very rudely, acting like racketeers from the 90s, intimidating people. The arrogance, threats, humiliation, illegal extortion, and sale of trading spots are undermining the market's reputation," the woman notes.
The tenants are demanding:
- an objective investigation into the work of the current and past administrations;
- the introduction of transparent rental rules that exclude "black cash registers" and threats;
- the removal of Yulia Tskhai's team.
Otherwise, the business owners intend to appeal directly to the country's president.
It has become known that the market is managed by Dostar-Commerz Company LLP, and the founders are Mercury Properties (a structure linked to Timur and Dinara Kulibayev) and Dostar-Invest LLP, owned by Yakov Tskhai. It is noted that Yakov Tskhai and Timur Kulibayev have numerous joint projects, including a share in the Forum Shopping and Entertainment Centre.
Such disputes surrounding the Green Bazaar are not happening for the first time. In 2023, the administration demanded the demolition of old kiosks, which sparked protests from business owners. Those who spoke out openly lost access to their trading spots.