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Bribes

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KaraG
  11/18/2008 14:10 EST

I will be relocating to Almaty in December, and have heard stories of expatriates being stopped while out in public and asked to show passports by officials, and then in order for the person to get their passport back, the officials ask for money. Does this happen often, or is it more of an urban legend?

AlmatyLocal
  11/20/2008 13:20 EST

I live in Almaty, I’m local. I’ve never heard of such situations and I have many friends-foreigners and foreign clients. One of my German friends violates traffic regulations from time to time (he likes driving fast). When stopped by the police-officer he just shows that he doesn’t understand him, and that’s it. If you don’t break the law the officials have no reason to demand bribes otherwise this can cause them very serious problems and they afraid of this. They can show that they want money if you violate the law. For example if I drive wrongly and the policeman stops me, he takes my driving licence (he has right to do this) and says that I have to go to the police station, pay the official penalty and take my licence back. Some people in order to get the licence back right away and to give less money, just offer money to the officer (they take bribes eagerly, but they never demand money openly because you can easily send them to prison).

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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AlmatyLocal
  11/20/2008 13:25 EST

I live in Almaty, I’m local. I’ve never heard of such situations and I have many friends-foreigners and foreign clients. One of my German friends violates traffic regulations from time to time (he likes driving fast). When stopped by the police-officer he just shows that he doesn’t understand him, and that’s it. If you don’t break the law the officials have no reason to demand bribes otherwise this can cause them very serious problems and they afraid of this. They can show that they want money if you violate the law. For example if I drive wrongly and the policeman stops me, he takes my driving licence (he has right to do this) and says that I have to go to the police station, pay the official penalty and take my licence back. Some people in order to get the licence back right away and to give less money, just offer money to the officer (they take bribes eagerly, but they never demand money openly because you can easily send them to prison).

Expatka
  12/1/2008 00:51 EST

Hello! Knowing many expats or people from abroad I dont know even one which have been check by police on the streets and asked to show the passport. In any case I would not worry about it.

AmericanLA
  6/25/2009 03:18 EST

In the past two days this has happened to me twice. Each time we had to pay 3000 tenge. Its bullcrap and there is nothing you can do about it. The only advice I can say is if your not of Kazak descent take taxi everywhere even if your going one block away

William Russell
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