In Almaty, a high-profile trial has concluded against one of Central Asia’s most notorious crime bosses – Arman Dzhumageldiev, known as Wild Arman. The specialised inter-district court sentenced him to 20 years in prison for organising mass riots, kidnapping, and an attempted violent seizure of power during the January 2022 events.
Dzhumageldiev’s criminal career began long before the January events. He first came to the attention of law enforcement in 2003 in a case involving an attack using firearms, but managed to avoid serious punishment. In subsequent years, his name regularly appeared in crime reports: the disruption of a political conference in 2005, a conflict with businessman Tokhtar Tuleshov in 2008 that ended with an assassination attempt on Dzhumageldiev in Shymkent, and involvement in a prison riot in 2010.
The turning point in strengthening Wild Arman’s criminal empire came in 2016, when the deputy head of the fifth department of the National Security Committee Ruslan Iskakov offered him protection in exchange for cooperation. This partnership allowed Dzhumageldiev to significantly expand his sphere of influence both in Kazakhstan and abroad. With the support of the high-ranking KNB officer, Wild Arman’s gang eliminated rival criminal organisations and strengthened their position.
After his release in 2017, Dzhumageldiev settled in Turkey, where he managed to create a new network of influence. His activities were accompanied by an active presence on social media and high-profile charitable acts, which helped win the loyalty of part of the Kazakh diaspora.
As the investigation established, in December 2021 Dzhumageldiev returned to Kazakhstan to take part in preparing mass riots. In January 2022, his gang, acting under the guise of fighting looters, unleashed terror against peaceful civilians. From the headquarters at the Kazakhstan Hotel the actions of armed groups were coordinated, and plans were made to create an unconstitutional ‘People’s Council’. Over two days, 34 people were kidnapped, who were held and tortured in the Kazakhstan Hotel and the Ritz Carlton Almaty.
The court found proven the guilt not only of Dzhumageldiev but also of his high-ranking patrons. Ruslan Iskakov was sentenced to 15 years and 6 months in prison, former maslikhat deputy Kairat Kudaibergen – to 8 years. Thirteen gang members received sentences of between 10 and 15.5 years in prison.
Wild Arman’s story clearly demonstrates how the fusion of crime with corrupt government officials can pose a serious threat to state security. The verdict served as an important signal that any attempts to destabilise public order and use social protests for criminal purposes will be severely suppressed, regardless of the status and connections of those responsible.