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In the turbulent 1990s, Kazakhstan's fight against organized crime was spearheaded by courageous and principled officers. Daulet Temirkhanov, a retired police colonel and former special forces operative, recently detailed some of these high-stakes operations in an interview on the "Qazaq Uni" YouTube channel. He shed light on the capture of notorious criminal figures, including the individual known by the moniker 'Red Diamond' (Ryzhiy Almaz).

Navigating the Dangers of 90s Crime

Temirkhanov described the 1990s as a period when organized criminal groups posed a significant threat. Groups like 'Sary Almaz,' 'Kara Almaz,' the 'Adai Group,' 'Kisa,' and 'Ataba' required specialized task forces to combat their activities. The law enforcement agencies of that era faced considerable disadvantages compared to today's standards.

"They had satellite communication, while we had radios that often didn't work reliably," Temirkhanov explained. "We were also behind in terms of weaponry and vehicles. While they drove expensive foreign cars, we were forced to pursue them in old 'Zhigulis' and 'UAZs.'"

Integrity as the Ultimate Weapon

Despite these operational challenges, the dedication and professionalism of the special forces officers remained paramount. Temirkhanov recalled an incident in 1994 involving the apprehension of Kairat Mysykbaev, known as 'Kisa.' Mysykbaev, who had already purchased a ticket to the Olympics, attempted to bribe the officers with 200,000 tenge to secure his release.

"The guys didn't agree to it. That's what integrity means," the colonel emphasized, underscoring the officers' unwavering commitment to their duty.

The 'Red Diamond' Operation

The operation to capture 'Red Diamond' in 1994 was particularly noteworthy. The crime boss resided in a large house in central Almaty. When special forces teams entered the premises, he offered no resistance.

Temirkhanov remembered the suspect remarking, "The door is open, why are you jumping around?" He described 'Red Diamond' as an intelligent, eloquent, and diplomatic individual. Although firearms were found in his home, all were legally documented.

The colonel also touched upon 'Red Diamond's' entry into the criminal underworld. Apparently, when he first started his business, individuals of Caucasian ethnicity attempted to seize his enterprise, prompting him to turn to crime for self-protection.

Daulet Temirkhanov is a retired police colonel, recognized as a founder of the Special Purpose Unit in Kazakhstan, an honorary officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and a world champion in hand-to-hand combat.