Igor Lepekha Comments on "Organized Crime Group Register"

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Lepekha, answering questions from journalists on the Majilis sidelines, confirmed that law enforcement agencies have a register of organized crime groups. He also commented on the case against Khasan Kasymbayev, Orda.kz reports.

They are disbanded, new ones appear - we put them on record. This is a consistent task. But to say that there is now rampant crime and organized crime groups, like in the 90s - we don't have that now, Lepekha said.

He stressed that he had not yet discussed the details of Khasan Kasymbayev’s case since the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Department for Combating Organized Crime.

All the circumstances will be clarified within the criminal case. So far, there is no talk of the engagement of our employees. All actions are coordinated with the prosecutor's office at every stage. Based on newly discovered circumstances, he is being charged, Lepekha summed up.

All procedural actions are carried out under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office and are agreed upon with supervisory authorities at each stage.

Khasan Kasymbayev, said to be the leader of the so-called "Khutor" group in the Talgar district, was arrested for two months. The police confirmed this information.

Following the killing of 16-year-old Sherzat Polat in Talgar, talk of a revival of organized crime has surfaced in society.

Talgar residents associate the tragedy with the activities of the alleged "Khutor" gang, rumored to be led by the Kasymbayev brothers. Khasan Kasymbayev, the supposed leader, denied his involvement in an interview with Orda, stating that such rumors are defamation.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov