Kazakhstan convicts three for orchestrating 2022 riots

An Almaty court has sentenced Arman Dzhumageldiev, known as "Wild Arman" and considered a criminal mastermind by authorities, Colonel Ruslan Iskakov of the National Security Committee, and local legislative deputy Kairat Kudaibergen to 20, 15.6, and 8 years in prison, respectively, for organizing the January 2022 riots in Kazakhstan.

Report informs via Kazakh media that the case against the criminal authority and the mentioned individuals was brought to court over a year ago.

"Wild Arman" was detained immediately after the January 2022 riots, which he was accused of orchestrating. Along with him, six other people were arrested, and four semi-automatic pistols of various brands and calibers, ammunition, cold weapons, and an armored vehicle were seized.

The General Prosecutor's Office claimed that "Wild Arman" was supposed to organize the riots, take control of the crowd, and create a so-called people's council to put forward unified ultimatums to the authorities. He was assisted by a former deputy of the Almaty Maslikhat and an active member of the Makhatov criminal group, who armed the bandits that arrived in an organized manner at the Kazakhstan Hotel in Almaty.

According to the investigation, "Wild Arman" abducted people during the riots. His armed men kidnapped and forcibly detained 24 peaceful citizens from among random passers-by. They were initially transported from place to place and beaten, resulting in the death of one person.