Foreigner sentenced in Zhambyl region for organizing illegal migration for 350,000 tenge

In the Zhambyl region, a foreign woman with a residence permit in Kazakhstan and her accomplice have been convicted of organizing illegal entry into the country for money. They received 350,000 tenge for one such entry, the regional court's press service reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The woman organized the entry of foreigners, while her accomplice met them on the territory of Kazakhstan and transported them to settlements.

In December 2025, they helped a citizen of Uzbekistan illegally enter Kazakhstan for 350,000 tenge. First, he was placed on the territory of the accomplice's peasant farm, then transported to Merke in the Zhambyl region.

A month later, they attempted to smuggle another citizen of Uzbekistan into the country for $900. However, border guards detected them. The foreigner was detained, and the woman's accomplice fled.

The Merken District Court found both guilty of organizing illegal migration by prior conspiracy. The court took into account the admission of guilt, absence of criminal records, and the presence of minor children.

Each was sentenced to four years of imprisonment. Under an amnesty, the terms were reduced by a quarter — to three years. For the woman, who has three minor children in her care, the execution of the sentence was postponed for two years.

The convicted woman and the district prosecutor appealed the verdict. The appellate panel reviewed the application of the amnesty and reduced the initial terms by one-third.

"On the basis of the Amnesty Law, the punishment for the convicted was reduced by 1/3 and each was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months of imprisonment," the court reported.

The remaining decisions, including the two-year postponement for the woman, remained in force. The court acts have entered into legal force.

In August, ten participants of another migration scheme operating at the "Nurly Zhol" railway station were convicted in Astana. Among them were a migration service employee, four employees of the "Government for Citizens" and five intermediaries. For money, they helped foreigners process documents for residence and work bypassing established requirements. Some of the defendants received from three to seven years of imprisonment, while others were sentenced to restriction of freedom and fines.