FBRK.KZ

Summary: After two plane crashes near Astana in 2025, Kazakhstan conducted 63 unscheduled inspections of aircraft. Inspectors identified 58 violations, and the operation of 11 aircraft was suspended until the issues were resolved. Materials for five operators were submitted for consideration of administrative liability. The investigation into the causes of the crashes continues.

Ex-child ombudsman Aruzhan Sain raised the question of the accuracy of interpreting data on animal attacks in Kazakhstan. The publication compares the official Ministry of Health statistics on bites and injuries from animals with claims about the number of dog attacks.

In Petropavlovsk, the AFM department for the North Kazakhstan region is investigating the possible theft of over 2 billion tenge during the construction of a road bridge worth 5.4 billion tenge. According to the investigation, funds were transferred on the basis of false certificates of completed work. The court has authorised the seizure of 24 units of machinery and vehicles worth more than 270 million tenge, and the suspect has been taken into custody.

The Government of Kazakhstan has reviewed measures for inclusive policy. The meeting discussed support for people with disabilities, assistance for over 237,000 children with special educational needs, a shortage of audiologists, speech therapists and rehabilitation specialists, as well as the participation of the Samruk-Kazyna fund and businesses in social projects.

In the Turkestan Region, three residents have been held to account following social media posts referencing a report from the Turkistan.tv television channel about the head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, Nurbek Nyshanov. One of the individuals involved received 20 days of administrative detention. Deputy Abzal Kuspán stated his intention to send inquiries to state bodies, highlighting the contentious nature of classifying such publications as defamation.

In Kazakhstan, authorities are tightening road control: expanding the average speed enforcement system, increasing the number of violation detection cameras, modernising traffic lights, and toughening rules for electric scooters. The new measures are aimed at reducing accident rates and improving road safety across the country.

In Kazakhstan, as of 20 April, regional differences in fuel prices remain. Petrol, diesel and autogas in Astana, Almaty and Shymkent are sold at varying prices without sharp jumps in cost. After the end of the price moratorium, authorities have instructed that the potential rise in fuel prices must not be allowed to affect inflation.

In the Kurmangazy district, a mass die-off of saiga antelopes has been recorded, with over 800 carcasses collected from the area. Specialists from relevant organisations and local services have been brought in for disposal. Authorities describe the incident as a natural process, linking the animals' deaths to weakness after winter. Local residents have expressed concern over the sanitary situation and potential risks to livestock.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Taszhurekov met with farmers in the Zhetysu region and informed them about state support measures for agricultural workers. In the region, 256 farmers have received concessional loans at 5% worth 8.2 billion tenge. Sown areas have also been increased to 512,000 hectares, and Kazakhstan has boosted its grain exports to 15.3 million tonnes.

The Pavlodar Regional Prosecutor's Office has uncovered violations in the spending of Social Health Insurance Fund (FSMS) funds in Pavlodar. The inspection revealed fictitiously documented medical services, double payment for treatment, and provision of assistance without the necessary permits. Following the prosecutor's office's intervention, over 100 million tenge in damages was reimbursed to the state, and two criminal cases have been sent to court.