Kazakhstan 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Astana This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Kazakhstan at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Astana does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. Review OSAC’s Kazakhstan-specific webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Crime Threats There is minimal risk from crime in Astana. The reported numbers of incidents in all categories of crime are statistically on par with or lower than an average city in the United States. Crime does not impede the operations of U.S. privat-sector organizations, including OSAC constituents. Petty theft, while not common, continues to be the most likely crime against foreigners. Pickpockets tend to frequent tourist sites, open-air markets, and heavily traveled public transportation, especially buses. The U.S. Embassy has received reports about vehicle break-ins (smash-and-grabs). Other common crimes in Astana are purse snatching, residential burglary, theft, and robbery. Drunken/disorderly behavior is commonplace, particularly in bars and nightclubs. Incidents involving assault, petty theft, robbery, driving mishaps, and violent verbal exchanges can often be traced to alcohol. The U.S. Embassy is aware of several incidents in which foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been drugged, robbed, and physically assaulted at or while leaving popular bars and nightclubs in Astana. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. Cybersecurity Issues Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted. Reports of ATM skimmers are more prevalent, but fraud does not appear to be a widespread problem. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud. 1 Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions Roads in Kazakhstan are in poor repair, especially in rural areas. Driving can be extremely dangerous, particularly for those coming from the United States. Many drivers have received little/no driver’s education. Drivers tend to be aggressive, routinely disregard traffic laws, do not obey signals, drive in oncoming lanes of traffic, and move at excessive speeds, even during adverse weather conditions. Road rage is common; it is not unusual to see people get out of their cars to confront each other over perceived offenses. People will regularly drive and park on sidewalks, especially during peak traffic hours when driver patience runs thin. Another concern for drivers is pedestrians, who can be equally unpredictable and reckless. Pedestrians will wear dark clothing at night and cross streets at will, not checking for oncoming traffic. Pedestrians always have the right of way on marked crosswalks, even on busy avenues/highways; therefore, they may not check the road before venturing out into the middle of the street on the crosswalk. Kazakhstan has a zero-tolerance policy with regards to drinking and driving. Despite this official policy, drivers have been known to drive after excessive alcohol consumption. Consumption of alcohol paired with driving could result in criminal charges, fines, and/or imprisonment. Visitors who intend to drive should obtain adequate local liability insurance and maintain parallel insurance with a U.S. carrier. If you own a private car, ensure you have all required vehicular paperwork by Kazakhstani law. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices. Public Transportation Conditions If possible, arrange for private transportation with an experienced local driver. Avoid riding overly crowded buses and microbuses whenever possible. Pickpocketing is a frequent occurrence on crowded buses. Many foreigners follow the local custom of hailing private vehicles on the street and negotiating a fee with the driver on the spot. Use of these cabs is strongly discouraged. Never get into a cab if there is already a passenger in the vehicle, and get out if the driver stops to pick up another passenger. There have been instances in which drivers have drugged, robbed, beaten, and left foreigners at out-of-the-way locations. There have also been reports of passengers of unmarked taxis being found unconscious after accepting laced cigarettes. Ride-hailing applications were introduced in 2016, and some drivers speak passable English. For more information on ride-sharing, review OSAC’s report, Safety & Security in the Share Economy. 2 Trains tend to be slow but relatively safe. An overnight express train runs between Astana and Almaty several times a week. Unless you book an entire compartment, other passengers will be sleeping in the same compartment. There have been several reports of male passengers harassed U.S. females traveling alone on overnight trains. International trains service Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Urumqi (China); most operate on a weekly schedule. Aviation/Airport Conditions Tourists arriving at the airports are encouraged to make prior arrangements for a hired car or taxi via a sponsor or hotel if possible. Otherwise, take marked taxis that have already dropped off passengers. Terrorism Threat Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns There is moderate risk from terrorism in Kazakhstan. The Government of Kazakhstan continues to exhibit concern about violent extremism. There is a general threat of terrorist attack globally against U.S. interests, as well as U.S. citizens, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. In addition, supporters of extremist groups such as the Islamic Jihad Union, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and al-Qa’ida have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. government or private interests in the region, including in Kazakhstan. Because of increased security at official U.S. facilities, terrorists may also target soft targets such as commercial or residential areas, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, beaches, maritime facilities, and aircraft. While the potential exists for violent extremist activity, Kazakhstan’s security elements have demonstrated an ability to interdict such activities. In January 2019, authorities detained six suspected foreign terrorists in a raid in Almaty. Authorities found materials for improvised explosive devices, firearms, and ammunition during the raid. The group is suspected of planning attacks against civilians in public areas of Almaty; authorities believe the suspects were coordinating with ISIS. Be alert to any security-related announcements by Kazakhstani authorities. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence Civil Unrest There is minimal risk from civil unrest in Astana. Civil unrest and/or protests are rare. There have been occasional clashes between foreign construction workers and their Kazakhstani counterparts in a few cities. In these cases, Kazakhstani construction workers publicly complained that their wages were less than those paid to the foreign workers. In order to hold a demonstration, organizers must file a petition with the city and receive a permit. In general, most demonstrations involve fewer than 20 participants. Occasionally, groups organize demonstrations without permits; police generally disperse these quickly and peacefully. Religious/Ethnic Violence Occasional clashes have erupted between ethnic Kazakhs and those of other ethnicities in rural areas, resulting from tensions over local issues and corruption. Security forces have stepped up their efforts to combat perceived “religious extremism.” 3 Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards The most significant concerns in Astana are natural threats, such as strong wind, extreme cold temperature, snowstorms, and ice-crusted ground. Main roads connecting Astana with other regions and cities closed several times in 2018 due to extreme weather. Air quality is a serious concern for those living in and visiting Astana. During winter (Nov-Mar), air quality is severely diminished by private homes burning coal for heating and the two coal-fired thermoelectric plants. Fine particulates in the air regularly exceed recommended maximums for daily exposure. The U.S. Embassy monitors air quality and is publishes results on airnow.gov. Additionally, the government of Kazakhstan monitors air quality at ten stations throughout Astana; data are available – in Russian language only – on the “AIR KZ” app for Apple and Android phones. Critical Infrastructure In the event of a natural disaster, Astana could suffer significant damage due to substandard Soviet-era infrastructure; there could also be a large number of fatalities. Emergency response in major metropolitan areas is improving but is inadequate to handle a mass casualty incident. For more information, review OSAC’s report, Central