TWO ANTI-TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS IN KAZAKHSTAN RESULT IN

UNCLAS ASTANA 003082 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/AAE (BUHLER),G/TIP, SCA/CEN (O'MARA) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR SOCI KCRM KZ SUBJECT: TWO ANTI-TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS IN KAZAKHSTAN RESULT IN BROTHEL CLOSURES, ARRESTS ¶1. Summary: Police closed brothels and arrested a number of individuals involved in human trafficking and forced prostitution during two week-long operations conducted recently to combat human trafficking in Kazakhstan. End summary. ¶2. During September 23 - September 30, the Organized Crime Unit of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Interior (MVD) conducted an anti-trafficking operation in major Kazakhstani cities. The operation resulted in three criminal cases involving human trafficking, including one case of trafficking of minors. Fourteen criminal cases were initiated against individuals accused of pimping and maintaining brothels, and one case was opened against individuals accused of forcing victims to work as prostitutes. In total, 213 prostitutes and 15 pimps were arrested. ¶3. A second, larger-scale, operation was conducted throughout Kazakhstan by several law enforcement agencies during October 29 - November 5. This operation uncovered six cases of human trafficking; five cases of forced prostitution; two cases of kidnapping; five cases of deprivation of freedom for the purpose of exploitation; and 38 cases of pimping and maintaining brothels. Police closed 22 brothels and arrested 30 pimps and 339 prostitutes. ¶4. In one specific case uncovered during the second operation, the Organized Crime Division of the MVD in Almaty received information that a woman had been kidnapped and forced to work as a prostitute in a hotel. The police rescued the victim, who reported that she was kidnapped from the city of Karaganda in October and trafficked to Almaty, where she was "sold" for 120,000 tenge (USD 1,000). The owner of the hotel, who was a member of the group that "purchased" the victim, was arrested; the investigation is on-going. In a second case, police arrested two individuals in Kokshetau, Akmola oblast, for confining a 15-year old girl in a sauna, where they used violence and threats to compel her to work as prostitute. ¶5. Comment: These two operations are an encouraging signal with respect to Kazakhstan's commitment to combating human trafficking. That said, it remains to be seen how the criminal cases will be followed up on by the procuracy and the courts. End Comment. ORDWAY