In Kazakhstan, 41 crimes related to human trafficking, including cases involving minors, were registered in April. A number of incidents were identified in several regions of the country during operational activities by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
WHAT IS KNOWN
According to Polisia.kz, an operational and preventive measure called ‘STOP trafficking’ took place across the country in April. As a result, law enforcement registered 41 crimes related to human trafficking, of which 9 cases involved minors.
As reported by Kuandyk Alpys, a representative of the MIA’s Department for Combating Organised Crime, the work is aimed at identifying and disrupting channels of human exploitation, as well as the distribution of illegal content.
SCHEME TO SELL A NEWBORN IN KYZYLORDA REGION
In the Kyzylorda region, a case of the alleged sale of a newborn baby was identified. It was established that a 25-year-old woman lived in a specialised public foundation before and after giving birth, and abandoned the child.
According to the investigation, the head of the foundation acted as an intermediary and offered to hand over the infant to a 50-year-old female resident of the region for 1 million tenge for the purpose of subsequent adoption. All three suspects have been placed in a temporary detention facility (TDF).
CASE OF LABOUR EXPLOITATION IN ZHETYSU REGION
In the Zhetysu region, a case of forced labour involving two young people born in 2005 and 2007 was stopped. According to the MIA, they were kidnapped, transported, and held with the use of violence for a month.
The investigation believes the victims were illegally deprived of their liberty for the purpose of labour exploitation at a household chemicals production facility. A criminal case has been opened on the charge of kidnapping. The suspects have been placed in a TDF, and the victims have received medical assistance.
INVESTIGATIONS IN ALMATY AND OTHER REGIONS
In the city of Almaty, pre-trial investigations have been launched into an organised group which, according to the investigation, was engaged in human trafficking for the purpose of criminal exploitation.
It is reported that members of the group sought out homeless individuals, took out loans in their names to purchase cars in Almaty and Shymkent, after which the vehicles were resold. The main organisers have been detained, and the investigation is ongoing.
IDENTIFICATION OF ILLEGAL CONTENT AND OTHER CRIMES
In the Abai region, a married couple suspected of organising webcam studios was detained. According to the MIA, they were involved in finding and recruiting girls, as well as creating conditions for filming pornographic material. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Furthermore, in Astana, Almaty, the Abai, Atyrau, Zhambyl, Pavlodar, and Mangystau regions, 20 criminal cases have been opened. Of these, 15 cases are related to infection with HIV, and another 5 concern the illegal distribution of pornographic materials.
COMMENT FROM THE MIA
As Kuandyk Alpys noted, special attention is being paid to identifying groups that distribute illegal content and involve young people in destructive processes. According to him, such actions have a negative impact on society and the institution of the family.
The MIA emphasised that work to combat human trafficking and protect citizens' rights continues.