Kazakhstan opens 10 criminal cases against citizens who fought in Russia-Ukraine war

Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee is investigating 10 criminal cases involving citizens of Kazakhstan who took part in the Russia-Ukraine war, reports Kazakh publication KazTAG.

The committee has not released the details about the cases or defendants. It’s also not clear which side the defendants fought for.

According to Kazakhstan’s criminal code, participating in a foreign armed conflict is punishable by five to nine years in prison.

In September 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing people who signed contracts with Russia’s Armed Forces and “other troops” to become Russian citizens via a simplified procedure. RFE/RL has written about Kazakh nationals who fought in Ukraine with Russia’s Wagner Group.