Trial underway for the self-proclaimed "Kazakh Robin Hood" in Almaty
In the heart of Almaty, the trial of Ilyas Sariev, a figure known as the "Kazakh Robin Hood" on social media, has commenced. Sariev stands accused of "Fraud committed on an especially large scale," under paragraph 4, part 3 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code.
The trial, conducted in the state language, comes at a time when public trust in charities and their leaders in Kazakhstan is under scrutiny. This follows the sentencing of Perizat Kairat, the head of Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030, to 10 years in prison on July 25, 2025, for defrauding citizens of 3.5 billion tenge (~$6.6 million) under the guise of fundraising for flood victims and international conflict relief. Kairat's mother was also sentenced to 7 years in prison.
The Perizat Kairat case, which has had a significant negative impact on charity in Kazakhstan, exposed large-scale fraud and eroded public trust in philanthropic activities. The court confiscated the perpetrators’ assets to compensate victims, including major Kazakh financial institutions, and stripped Kairat of her state award.
The scandal revealed how charitable organizations could be exploited for fraud, prompting national reflection and increased skepticism about fundraising efforts. The case became one of the largest charity-related frauds in Kazakhstan, signaling to authorities and the public the need for stricter oversight to prevent abuse of donor trust.
The trial of Ilyas Sariev is not the only case that has raised concerns. In March 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the IV session of the National Kurultai about the increasing cases of fraud. Around the same time, the specialized inter-district economic court in Astana reviewed a lawsuit from the department of justice seeking the liquidation of the public association Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030.
The charity foundation "Elge kömek," with nearly 400,000 followers on its social media page, has previously announced fundraisers for children and the elderly. However, its official registration status remains unclear, making it uncertain how the trial of Sariev might impact the foundation.
As the trial progresses, the sentencing of Perizat Kairat and her mother may further impact public trust in charities and their leaders in Kazakhstan. The trial of Ilyas Sariev, therefore, represents a critical moment in the fight against fraud in the charity sector and the call for reforms to protect donors and beneficiaries in Kazakhstan.
References: 1. https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/kairat-perizat-sentenced-10-years-prison-189413/ 2. https://www.channel.kz/ru/news/Kairat-Perizat-otpravlena-v-tyurmu-na-10-let-za-rabochie-dlya-obshchestva-prestupleniya/ 3. https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/kairat-perizat-otpravlena-v-tyurmu-na-10-let-za-rabochie-dlya-obshchestva-prestupleniya/ 4. https://www.khabar.kz/articles/2025/07/25/500-million-tenge-kairat-perizat-sostavil-na-kommercheskuyu-deyatelnost/ 5. https://www.kazakhstan2050.kz/ru/news/perizat-kairat-i-matushka-otpravleny-v-tyurmu-na-10-let-i-7-let-za-rabochie-dlya-obshchestva-prestupleniya/
The trial of Ilyas Sariev, a figure known as the "Kazakh Robin Hood," has raised concerns about fraudulent activities in the charity sector, following the sentencing of Perizat Kairat, the head of Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030, to 10 years in prison for committing large-scale fraud under the guise of fundraising. The court proceedings signify a critical moment in the fight against fraud and the call for reforms to protect donors and beneficiaries in Kazakhstan.
The Perizat Kairat case has exposed the potential for charitable organizations to be exploited for crimes, prompting increased scrutiny of general-news stories, including politics and crime-and-justice matters. The impact of these cases on public trust in charities and their leaders highlights the need for stricter oversight to safeguard philanthropic activities in Kazakhstan.
