Photo from depositphotos.com / dailly_creativity
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan has launched a review into possible ties between former Kazakh officials and American financier Jeffrey Epstein, including potential contacts with former National Security Committee chairman Karim Massimov.
Prosecutor General Berik Asylov announced the review on the sidelines of the Senate, according to Tengrinews.kz.
“...The whole world is discussing this issue. Therefore, as law enforcement agencies, we are examining and verifying these facts—whether they occurred or not,” Asylov said. He did not name specific individuals but, when asked whether the authorities were investigating possible links between Epstein and Massimov, replied: “We have begun a preliminary review.”
Asylov also noted that investigators are examining reports of a possible visit by Epstein to Kazakhstan in the past.
On February 25, deputies from the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP) in the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament, sent a formal inquiry to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Security Committee. They requested an investigation into possible cooperation between former high-ranking Kazakh officials and Epstein, as well as into media reports of his alleged visits to the country.
“Karim Massimov is mentioned in the records at least eight times. The records directly indicate that Epstein and Massimov were personally acquainted,” the inquiry stated.
At a Mazhilis session, OSDP deputy Askhat Rakhimzhanov also pointed to foreign media reports about a joint vacation in New York involving Epstein and Kairat Kelimbetov, a former head of the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Commenting on that claim, Asylov said it would also be subject to additional verification.
Epstein was arrested by New York state authorities on July 6, 2019. Prosecutors alleged that between 2002 and 2005 he organized visits by dozens of underage girls—one as young as 14—to his Manhattan residence. His circle reportedly included numerous current and former officials from the United States and other countries, as well as prominent business figures and celebrities.
Criminal proceedings against Epstein in the United States were terminated following his suicide in a jail cell in August 2019.
