Kazakhstan News Digest: New Fines, Dollar Plunge, and High-Profile Crimes
@TengriNews
Thursday, March 5th, brought significant developments across Kazakhstan's legal, economic, and social spheres. A proposed law could introduce a formal licensing system for private detectives, with hefty fines for violations. Meanwhile, the national currency saw a notable strengthening against the US dollar.
Potential New Law for Private Detectives
A draft law submitted to the Mazhilis (the lower house of Parliament) aims to establish an official framework for private detective work in Kazakhstan. The legislation outlines penalties under the Administrative Offences Code for breaches. These include issuing a license to an unqualified individual or operating without a special detective's ID card.
The proposed fines range from 5 to 170 Monthly Calculation Indices (MCI), which translates to approximately 21,625 to 735,250 tenge based on the projected 2026 MCI value. It is crucial to note that this is currently only a draft law under parliamentary consideration.
Sharp Decline in US Dollar Exchange Rate
The Kazakhstani tenge strengthened significantly during trading on March 5th. The weighted average exchange rate on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) settled at 493.36 tenge per US dollar, marking a decrease of 6.13 tenge from the previous session.
The official rate set by the National Bank for March 5th was slightly higher at 499.83 tenge per dollar.
New Details in High-Profile Murder Cases
During a Senate session, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov provided updates on two major criminal investigations. Regarding the brutal murder of a family in the Zhibek Zholy settlement near Astana, it was revealed that the detained suspect has a prior criminal record. The man had been convicted three times previously for various crimes and had also faced multiple administrative charges.
In a separate case concerning the murder of a married couple in the Atyrau region, Adilov stated that suspects are expected to be extradited to Kazakhstan within the current month, with all logistical routes prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). A 30-year-old Kazakhstani woman was also detained alongside a suspect in Indonesia; her legal status in connection with the case is being clarified.
Changes to National University Testing Rules
The new rules provide flexibility for applicants who miss their scheduled test date due to unforeseen circumstances.
Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek signed an order amending the rules for conducting the Unified National Testing (UNT), which have been in effect since 2017. A key change allows applicants who registered but failed to attend their scheduled test to take it on an alternative day.
The amendments also specify application periods: December 20-30; February 15-25; April 10-25; and July 25-August 5. During online registration, applicants can select their testing center, date, and time.
Court Issues Restraining Order Against Harasser
The Sandyktau District Court in Akmola region sentenced a man for stalking his ex-wife over a prolonged period. According to case materials, since June 2025, he had persistently followed her, waited near her home and workplace, sent abusive messages, and peered into her windows. Fearing for her safety and her children's peace of mind, she filed a police report leading to court proceedings.
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Source: tengrinews.kz