How “Wild Arman” began cooperating with Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee

Tengrinews.kz - A court in Almaty has sentenced Arman Dzhumageldiev, known as "Wild Arman," and his accomplices for organizing mass riots and kidnapping. After the closed trial, details emerged about when and how Dzhumageldiev began cooperating with the National Security Committee (NSC).
According to the court, in 2016, Ruslan Iskakov, then deputy head of the NSC’s 5th Department, persuaded Dzhumageldiev to collaborate, offering protection from national security authorities.
With NSC support, Dzhumageldiev began expanding his criminal influence in Kazakhstan and beyond, forming an organized crime group.

"To achieve this, he recruited trusted individuals known for psychological resilience, lack of fear of prosecution, and strong physical training. His criminal network was divided into separate organizational, functional, and territorial units, all directly under his control," the court stated.

Under Iskakov’s leadership, the NSC dismantled several rival criminal groups, clearing the way for Dzhumageldiev’s syndicate.

"At the same time, Iskakov took no action to curb Dzhumageldiev’s criminal activities. Since December 2017, Dzhumageldiev had been remotely controlling his criminal organization from Turkey, periodically gathering the leaders of its structural units and members in Kazakhstan, Turkey, and the UAE," the court statement said.

In early 2022, Iskakov, Dzhumageldiev, and former deputy of the Almaty Maslikhat Kairat Kudaibergen allegedly orchestrated mass riots to seize power.

"Dzhumageldiev arrived in Kazakhstan in December 2021 in preparation. During the January events, Kudaibergen set up a headquarters at the ‘Kazakhstan’ hotel, where Dzhumageldiev’s group coordinated armed actions and mobilized supporters," the court revealed.

Dzhumageldiev was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Iskakov received 15.6 years, and Kudaibergen 8 years.
Thirteen members of Dzhumageldiev’s gang were sentenced to 10 to 15.5 years, while other riot participants received 1.5 to 7 years.
Plans to seize power: Details of verdict of "Wild Arman" and Kudaibergen