London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 04, 2025

UK Ministers told to freeze Kazakh assets worth £600m after protesters gunned down

UK Ministers told to freeze Kazakh assets worth £600m after protesters gunned down

Tory MP Tom Tugendhat is calling to profit from the situation as an sanctions in the wake of a brutal crackdown ordered by president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Ministers have been urged to freeze more than £600m of UK assets owned by Kazakhstan’s ruling elites after the country’s government opened fire on protesters in the streets.

Amid violent unrest over surging energy prices and corruption, Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told soldiers to “open fire with lethal force”.

The brutal crackdown has prompted calls for the Government to consider sanctions on properties and other wealth held in the UK by the regime’s top figures and their allies.

Sprawling mansions in central London and Surrey are among the properties owned by the Kazakh elite. Assets worth £370m are owned by the family of former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, according to Transparency International.

Tom Tugendhat, the Tory MP who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Government should consider sanctioning such assets.

“Those who violate the human rights of their citizens should not be able to enjoy the privilege of holding wealth in the UK,” he said. “We need to be clear with the Kazakh elites that their actions will be scrutinised and their assets are in jeopardy.”

Tory MP Andrew Murrison, a former foreign minister, also called for ministers to be “far more robust” in their defence of pro-democracy forces in the country.

Properties amassed by Kazakh elites include a mansion on “billionaire’s row” in Hampstead, north London, owned by Dariga Nazarbayeva, a senior politician and daughter of Nazarbayev, and Nurali Aliyev, her son.

Meanwhile, Timur Kulibayev, a powerful gas oligarch who is married to another of Nazarbayev’s daughters, owns a sprawling mansion in Surrey. It is built on the site of Sunningwell Park, near Windsor Castle, that was bought from Prince Andrew for £15m.

Duncan Hames, director of policy at Transparency International UK, said the true British property portfolio of Kazakh figures was likely to exceed £600m because some were concealed by complicated ownership structures.

Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, has condemned violence in Kazakhstan but stopped short of promising action.

Professor John Heathershaw, an expert in central Asia politics at the University of Exeter, said: “The test for the British government is … whether it's willing to bring sanctions against members of the elite who may still have some influence in a country which regards us as an ally and where we are one of the top five trading partners.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×