Relatives of the former president were looted while he himself acquired a luxurious property in Russia; Atambayev’s son has been detained – Turkic Digest

One of the lavish residences in Russia, provided by the Kremlin, went to the former president. However, back in his home country, properties belonging to his relatives were looted. In Kyrgyzstan, following the elections, several opposition figures—including the son of the previous head of state—were detained under accusations of planning a state overthrow. Judges were caught attempting to facilitate leniency for a pedophile. The past week was marked by several significant incidents, which we will examine in detail today.

Nazarbayev rents a secret villa in Moscow’s upscale neighborhood

The investigative outlet “Proekt” reported that the Russian Federal Protective Service rents luxurious villas in Moscow’s Chumuchuk Hills to high-ranking political figures and businessmen connected to the government.

The villas date back to the 1950s and were originally built for members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee.

In 2015, the Federal Protective Service renovated the palaces but preserved only the former residence of Nikita Khrushchev. At that time, the residence was occupied by billionaire and friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gennady Timchenko.

Subsequently, the security service ceased using the buildings for its own purposes and began renting them to senior officials and businesspeople under confidential agreements related to state security.

Investigative journalism revealed that these palaces could only be rented through political patronage, with a monthly rent of 3.1 million rubles.

According to the report, four main groups had acquired access to these luxurious homes:

The first group included government officials from Putin’s era, such as former Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

The second group comprised prominent businessmen who thrived due to state connections, including Roman Abramovich and Gennady Timchenko.

The third group consisted of well-known figures from culture and sports with Kremlin connections, such as hockey player Alexander Ovechkin and actor Oleg Gazmanov.

The remaining homes were associated with questionable individuals, “mafia” figures, and their relatives.

One of the residences belonged to Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, located on Michurinsky Avenue.

Tenants do not reside in these villas permanently but visit them occasionally. Sources say that living in these villas is seen not as a comfort but as a demonstration of proximity to officials.

Relatives of the first president were looted

It has been reported that properties belonging to relatives of the late Bolat Nazarbayev, brother of Kazakhstan’s first president Nursultan Nazarbayev, were looted.

On November 14, 2025, numerous police vehicles gathered in the village of Kargaly in Almaty region, attracting local attention. Residents stated that the looted property belonged to the relatives of Bolat Nazarbayev.

According to the regional police department, villagers reported valuable items being stolen during the night. Investigators and local police inspectors arrived at the scene.

A criminal case was opened, and authorities are currently conducting all necessary investigative measures to identify and apprehend the suspects.

All officers have been mobilized, and directives have been issued to nearby areas. At the same time, it remains unclear exactly who owned the looted property.

Bolat Nazarbayev was a businessman active in agriculture and investment and was also known for his charitable work. He founded the “Saliqali Urpak” public fund, supporting youth and agricultural projects in the country. Bolat Nazarbayev passed away on November 13, 2023. He was recognized in Kazakhstan for his business and philanthropic activities.

Judges accepted bribes to reduce a pedophile’s sentence

If law enforcement and judiciary officials accept bribes to reduce the sentence of a pedophile who killed a minor, society’s trust in the law erodes, and such crimes may persist.

At the end of September, in the Barskaun village of Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan, 17-year-old Aysuluu was raped and murdered, as widely reported. A video report had also been prepared at the time.

An investigation revealed that former judges accepted bribes to reduce the sentence of the girl’s killer. During an investigation into three former judges of the Bishkek City Court, it was found that through the defendant Kumarkbek Abdirov’s lawyer, they had accepted $10,000 to reduce the pedophile’s prison sentence.

At the request of Prosecutor General Maksat Asanaliev, the Judges’ Council approved bringing the former judges—Saniya Branchaeva, Janil Mambetali, and Kaisin Abakirov—to criminal responsibility. They face multiple charges under the Kyrgyz Criminal Code.

President Japarov personally oversaw the ongoing investigation into Aysuluu’s death and proposed reinstating the death penalty. Kyrgyzstan’s Ombudswoman, Jamila Jamanbayeva, opposed the proposal, stating she would not support the reinstatement of capital punishment.

According to her, the Ombudsman’s office had already expressed its position in 2023 when a group of parliament members asked the Constitutional Court to reconsider a ban on the death penalty.

Jamanbayeva emphasized that the “Truth-seeker” institute’s position remains unchanged: reinstating the death penalty would violate Kyrgyzstan’s international obligations, particularly the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the country ratified in 2010 to abolish capital punishment.

UN representatives also supported her position, noting that reinstating the death penalty would not only contravene international obligations but could also negatively affect the country’s international reputation as a state committed to human rights.

Former president’s son detained

On November 22, Kyrgyz law enforcement conducted a large-scale operation targeting those suspected of preparing public unrest. Several individuals were questioned, and some were detained.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the suspects were part of a disruptive group planning unrest after the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for November 30.

Investigations indicated that the group included political figures, former deputies, ex-government officials, and law enforcement officers, who mobilized supporters, including organized crime groups and sports teams.

The detainees allegedly planned to create public disturbances across the country after the election results were announced, starting in the south and moving to Bishkek and other regions, organizing protests. Their plans reportedly included unconstitutional demands and potential attacks on administrative buildings, TV stations, security facilities, arms depots, and detention centers.

The report states, “The group had a clear hierarchy and defined roles. ‘Coordinating groups’ were to set political demands, while criminal organizations were responsible for security. Some members had predetermined future positions.”

Among those detained were politician Temirlan Sultonbekov, 32-year-old Kodir Atambayev, son of former president Almazbek Atambayev, former head of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes Symik Japikeev, and others. Their homes were searched.

Searches were also conducted at the residences of former deputies Kubanichbek Kodirov and Shaylobek Atazov. Kodirov stated the detentions were related to preparations for public unrest. Raisa Atambayeva, spouse of former president Almazbek Atambayev, was questioned, and his daughter Aliya Shagieva described the situation as “political persecution, violation of human rights, and suppression of freedom of speech.”

The detainees were charged under Article 278, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (preparation for organizing public disorder) and placed in temporary detention.

During the searches, authorities seized weapons, ammunition, grenades, communication devices, $150,000 in cash, documents related to financing public unrest, plans for protests, and narcotics.

Investigators continue to identify other participants and financiers linked to the disruptive group.

Earlier, former president Almazbek Atambayev’s family was evicted from their house in Koy-Tosh. Subsequently, Atambayev’s son Kodir filed a complaint with law enforcement after being forced out of his home.

This concludes the latest updates from Central Asia and the Turkic world. Further developments will be monitored. Stay safe.