Members of the Mazhilis Demand Investigation into Massimov’s and Kelimbetov’s Contacts with Epstein

In their opinion, ignoring this issue in Kazakhstan is unacceptable

Mazhilis member Askhat RAKHIMZHANOV has submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Prosecutor General Berik ASYLOV and Chairman of the National Security Committee Yermek SAGIMBAYEV, demanding an investigation into possible contacts between Kazakh officials and the American Jeffrey EPSTEIN, who is mentioned in the so-called “Epstein files,” BAQ.KZ reports.

In his appeal, the deputy stated that in many countries parliamentary investigations and criminal proceedings have already been initiated against individuals mentioned in the published documents, and, in his view, it is unacceptable to remain silent on this topic in Kazakhstan.

According to Rakhimzhanov, representatives of the political elite of the “Old Kazakhstan” allegedly appear in the disclosed materials. In particular, he mentioned former Prime Minister and ex-Chairman of the National Security Committee Karim MASSIMOV, who, as claimed in the documents, is referenced at least eight times. The deputy also referred to publications in foreign media about possible contacts between Epstein and former Deputy Prime Minister and ex-Governor of the National Bank Kairat KELIMBETOV.

The inquiry emphasizes that this is not about private life, but about potential risks to national security and the country’s reputation. Rakhimzhanov noted that the documents suggest Epstein allegedly visited Kazakhstan multiple times, and he did not rule out that not all of his contacts in the country may be reflected in the materials.

The deputy addressed a number of questions to law enforcement agencies, including:

• for what purpose Epstein visited Kazakhstan and with whom he had contact;
• whether any restricted information may have been leaked;
• whether channels of external influence were created over individuals making state decisions;
• whether such contacts were sanctioned by the country’s leadership at the time.

In this regard, the Mazhilis member requests that the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Security Committee:

1. Verify information about Kazakh officials mentioned in the “Epstein files,” as well as the nature and purpose of possible meetings.
2. Establish whether other politicians, businesspeople, and representatives of the entertainment industry had contacts with Epstein in Kazakhstan or abroad.
3. Provide a legal assessment of potential threats to national security, including risks of officials being compromised and leaks of confidential information.
4. Inform Parliament and the public about the results of the investigation and the measures taken to prevent similar cases in the future.

“Citizens of Kazakhstan have the right to know the truth about in whose hands the fate of the country lay and whether it became a subject of bargaining in closed clubs of dubious reputation,” the parliamentary inquiry states.

Photo credit: economy.gov.kz.