Illegally obtained driver's license issued in Shymkent

Spotlight on Shymkent: Disrupting the Driver's License Scam

The vigilant Anti-Corruption Department in Shymkent, in collaboration with the local prosecutor's office, has put an end to a notorious crime ring that had been minting driver's licenses as currency. This eye-opening revelation was shared by Liter.kz.

Unraveling the threads of deceit, investigations over the course of 2023 to 2024 unearthed an illegal scheme masterminded by the head of the specialized Center for Serving the Population No. 2 of the NAO "Government for Citizens", Murashimov J.R. This sinister group devised a scheme that bypassed the normal requirements for obtaining a driver's license, including theory and practical tests.

The cost for this illicit service ranged between 150,000 to 400,000 tenge, and it's estimated that at least 500 individuals collected their licenses through this shady network. To ensure transparency and accountability, an arrest has been ordered on properties exceeding 200 million tenge, which include two private homes, two apartments, two land plots, and ten vehicles. With the courts' approval, a dozen suspects have been apprehended.

The preliminary investigation is still ongoing, and more details are being withheld under Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

It's crucial to highlight the grave risks associated with granting driver's licenses without adhering to established protocols. The rise in road traffic accidents in Shymkent from 398 in 2022 to 878 in 2024 corroborates this sobering reality.

Historically, anti-corruption authorities like the one in Shymkent have targeted such malpractices in driver's license issuance through a multitude of strategies. These include digitalization, sting operations, training reforms, and public reporting channels. By employing these measures effectively, unqualified drivers can be minimized, accidents caused by poor driving skills can decrease, and public trust in traffic laws can increase.

However, the journey towards eradicating corruption in this sector is fraught with challenges. These range from bureaucratic inertia to deeply ingrained corrupt norms, as well as data limitations that make immediate cause-effect links difficult to establish. Nonetheless, the potential benefits—including safer roads and improved public trust in institutions—make the fight against corruption a worthy endeavor.

While specific data about Shymkent's anti-corruption initiatives isn't widely available, Kazakhstan's national trends suggest a reduction in road fatalities and ongoing issues with weak traffic law enforcement. To fully realize the potential of these reforms in Shymkent, the department may consider leveraging AI and blockchain technologies, conducting independent audits, and launching public awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes about corruption in licensing. Only through sustained political will, technological investment, and societal buy-in can the impact of these reforms be maximized and the roads of Shymkent be made safer for all.

The arrest of Murashimov J.R., the mastermind behind an illegal driver's license scheme in Shymkent, was ordered following investigations that spanned from 2023 to 2024.
Under this corrupt scheme, applicants could secure a driver's license without passing the required practical and theory tests, with costs ranging between 150,000 to 400,000 tenge.
Over 500 individuals are estimated to have collected their licenses through this shady network, which included properties worth over 200 million tenge, including homes, apartments, land plots, and vehicles.
This general-news story about crime-and-justice serves as a reminder of the practical implications of neglecting established protocols in issuing driver's licenses, as the number of road traffic accidents in Shymkent increased from 398 in 2022 to 878 in 2024.