Kazakhstan: Certain Foreigners' IINs Being Annulled, Procedural Violations Cited

The Migration Service Committee under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that some foreign nationals' individual identification numbers (IINs) are being revoked. Committee Chair Aslan Atalykov made the statement in response to journalists' questions at a recent briefing, Orda.kz reports.

The IIN is cancelled at the request of the authorized body if procedural norms have been violated. It can also be excluded if, for example, a citizen of another country has left Kazakhstan and no longer lives here,
 explained Atalykov.

He clarified that while the IIN is essential for accessing public services in Kazakhstan, it is unnecessary for individuals no longer residing there.

Atalykov also acknowledged that the Ministry is currently fielding complaints related to IIN cancellations and is conducting a broad investigation.

There was a certain period when IINs were issued in violation of the procedure. Now, verification activities are underway in these cases. We cannot disclose more detailed information - this is limited by Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Everything is carried out within the framework of criminal procedure legislation,
 he noted.

When asked whether the investigation is linked to online ads — specifically one allegedly from Freedom Bank offering IIN registration for Russian citizens through questionable methods — Atalykov gave a reserved response:

There are no specific suspets in the case yet. The investigation is ongoing.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov