Former Police Officer Extradited from Türkiye Dies in Oskemen Before Trial

A former law enforcement officer, Olzhas Orazgali, who was extradited from Türkiye three weeks ago, has died in pretrial detention, Orda.kz reports.

The local channel Reporter first reported the death of the detainee. Orda.kz later received confirmation from the Department of the Penitentiary System. According to officials, Orazgali had complained of feeling unwell while in custody, was hospitalized, but died several days later.

The preliminary cause of death is bilateral thromboembolism (thrombosis). An investigation has been launched into the death of the pre-trial detainee, the Department of the Penitentiary System for East Kazakhstan Region told Orda.kz.

Orazgali was suspected of involvement in an international criminal group that provided protection for illegal casinos. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, between 2015 and 2016, he held a senior position in the East Kazakhstan Region and regularly accepted bribes for shielding illegal gambling operations.

He had been on the wanted list for seven years and was arrested in Izmir, Türkiye, in January 2024. He was extradited to Kazakhstan eighteen months later. The former security officer faced up to 20 years in prison and confiscation of property if convicted.

Other members of the criminal group have already received prison sentences.

Original Author: Yelena Medvedeva