AKIPRESS.COM – Both positive and tragic news were reported in 2025, including the change of IATA-code of Manas International Airport, murder of Kyrgyz family in the United States, Dmitry Bivol’s visit to Kyrgyzstan and the details of court proceedings on Saltanat Nukenova’s murder.
To summarize the results of this year, AKIpress publishes 10 most read news.
1. Binance founder touts crypto as strategic tool for finance and governance in Kyrgyzstan
Founder of the cryptocurrency platform Binance Changpeng Zhao today stated that virtual assets and cryptocurrency represent an absolutely new technology in the financial sector. He made the comments following a press briefing after the National Council meeting on the development of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in Bishkek.
He said this technology will not only simplify financial and inter-state transactions but also streamline infrastructure and governance within the country, such as in taxation or effective management. He highlighted that the technology provides an opportunity to utilize artificial intelligence not only in the core financial sector but also in areas like credit cards and other financial transactions.
Zhao stressed the critical importance of financial literacy. “We see that youth are actively engaging in cryptocurrencies, conducting transactions. Many countries are actively increasing financial literacy, integrating new technologies into education. I believe that the country which first masters these technologies will inevitably be a leader not only regionally but also on a global level,” he commented.
2. U.S. visa fraudster extradited from Kyrgyzstan to U.S.
Danhong “Jean” Chen was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States last week. This is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the USA on federal criminal charges, the US Embassy in Bishkek said.
Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States and will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen in federal district court in San Jose, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil complaint in October 2018 against Chen and others alleging that Chen improperly solicited investments and committed other violations of law. According to court documents, immediately after the SEC filed its civil enforcement complaint, Chen left the United States and was at large until she was arrested in the Kyrgyz Republic at the request of the United States.
According to the indictment, Chen was the sole partner at the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen in San Jose, which held itself out as specializing in immigration law. Chen prepared and submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fraudulent documents that contained false signatures and falsely described how applicants would qualify for the EB-5 program.
The indictment alleges Chen fraudulently obtained immigration benefits through the EB-5 program on behalf of her clients by, among other actions, falsifying documents to hide the true ownership and nature of a regional center. Specifically, in 2014, Chen purchased the Golden State Regional Center and other entities and, almost immediately after the purchase, transferred ownership to a straw owner without that individual’s knowledge. Chen filed papers with USCIS requesting that the government continue to recognize Golden State Regional Center as a regional center qualified to promote EB-5 investment within the South Bay.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Farnham is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Susan Kreider. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the SEC OIG. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in the Kyrgyz Republic to secure the arrest and extradition of Chen to the United States.
3. Undisputed boxing world champion Dmitry Bivol arrives in Kyrgyzstan
Undisputed light heavyweight boxing world champion Dmitry Bivol has arrived in Kyrgyzstan.
Meeting with fans will be held on March 23.
Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev held a rematch for the title of absolute world champion in the light heavyweight division. The match ended with the victory of Bivol according to the judge’s decision.
This was his 24th victory in his professional career. He won the championship belts of WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF and IBO versions.
4. Valentina Shevchenko’s next UFC fight scheduled for May 11
The date for Valentina Shevchenko’s next fight in the UFC has been announced.
The Kyrgyzstani fighter will compete at UFC 315, which will take place on May 11 in Montreal, Canada. Shevchenko’s opponent will be Manon Caroline Fiorot (12-1) from France. The flyweight championship title, currently held by Shevchenko, will be on the line.
This will be Shevchenko’s 18th fight in the UFC – with a record of 14 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. In September 2024, Shevchenko defeated Alexa Grasso from Mexico to regain the championship title.
35-year-old Fiorot will have her eighth fight in the UFC, having won the previous seven. Fiorot is currently ranked second in the UFC flyweight division.
5. Family from Kyrgyzstan murdered in United States
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan shared some details of the death of the family from Kyrgyzstan in the state of Illinois (USA).
The police found the bodies of Kyrgyz citizens M.A. (b. 1980), A.B. (b. 1977) and their son M.A. (b. 2019). They were murdered.
Other details are not disclosed due to ongoing investigation.
The Consulate General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Chicago is in constant contact with law enforcement agencies and relatives of the deceased, and at the same time issues related to the repatriation of bodies are being arranged.
6. Manas International Airport to change IATA-code from FRU to BSZ
The State Civil Aviation Agency has announced that since August 9, 2025, Manas International Airport will officially change its three-letter IATA code — from the current FRU to the new BSZ code.
The decision was made in accordance with the provisions of Resolution 763 of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which regulates the procedure for changing codes in the international system.
“The code change will come into effect within 90 days from the date of receipt of the official notification from IATA sent on May 9, 2025. This requirement is established by paragraph 4.3.2 of Resolution 763,” the State Civil Aviation Agency said.
The IATA code is used worldwide to identify airports. Its replacement requires technical and organizational preparation on the part of all stakeholders in the aviation industry.
The State Civil Aviation Agency and Manas International Airport, together with international partners, have already begun work to ensure a smooth transition to the use of the new BSZ code.
7. High pensions based on significant social security contributions, not status, says Social Fund Deputy Head
High pension amounts are received by those who made significant social security contributions to the Social Fund, stated Gulnura Jumataeva, Deputy Chairwoman of the Social Fund.
The state is obligated to be responsible for citizens who work and make salary deductions in order to receive a pension, she said.
“If a person didn’t work and didn’t make contributions, and then wants to receive a pension, that will be at the expense of others. If a person works officially and makes payments, they will have a pension. Yes, there are large pensions, but these are not high-ranking officials, but people who worked hard and smart and paid significant contributions,” she said.
In Kyrgyzstan, the amount of pensions increased from October 1: the minimum pension will be 7,100 soms, and the average pension will be 11,226 soms. As of September 1, the number of pensioners is 813,000 people. The retirement age in Kyrgyzstan is 58 for women and 63 for men.
8. Saltanat Nukenova’s brother publishes camera footage from restaurant on day of her death
Saltanat Nukenova’s brother, Aitbek Amangeldy, posted on Instagram footage from a security camera in a restaurant in Astana, taken on the day of her death. The man also posted a fragment of a forensic expert’s report.
Saltanat Nukenova’s husband, former Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev, is suspected of killing the woman.
“The Bishimbaeyvs’ lawyers forced us to publish these screenshots of the camera footage and the foresnic expert’s report. The footage clearly shows how he kicks and punches her, when the lawyers say in an interview that this did not happen,” Aitbek Amangeldy wrote on his social networks.
According to Nukenova’s brother, their family has a video of Bishimbayev repeatedly punching and kicking Saltanat in different parts of her body.
“There is a forensic expert’s report that says there were at least 13 blows to the head. There are photos of Saltanat’s body, right on the floor in the restaurant, and photos before the autopsy. There are testimonies from witnesses who heard beatings and screams all night,” Amangeldy added.
9. Photos from murder scene of Saltanat Nukenova shown in court
The Astana court reviewed the materials of the criminal case against former Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev, who is accused of murdering his common-law wife Saltanat Nukenova, informburo.kz reports.
Prosecutor Aizhan Aimaganova showed photos from the scene of the murder of Saltanat Nukenova in the courtroom.
The footage shows VIP cabin No. 1, where the body of Saltanat Nukenova was found, as well as various stains found in the restaurant.
Saltanat Nukenova was killed in the BAU restaurant on the second floor of the Gastrocenter in Astana on the night of November 8–9, 2023. Ex-Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev was detained on suspicion of murder.
Kuandyk Bishimbayev is accused of murder with extreme cruelty and torture. His relative Bakhytzhan Baizhanov, director of the Gastrocenter, was charged with concealment and failure to report a crime.
Preliminary hearings in the case began in the Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of Astana on March 11, 2024. Kuandyk Bishimbayev and his lawyers insisted on having the trial with the jury, and the court granted their requests.
The main trial with the jurors has been going on since March 27.
10. Mongolia and Laos agree on cooperation between state audit organizations
Auditor General of the National Audit Office of Mongolia Zagdjav Deleg paid a visit to Laos on February 10-14 at the invitation of President of the State Audit Organization Viengthavisone Thephachanh, Montsame reported.
The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding in line with the objectives and principles of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI). The MoU aims at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between the audit institutions of the two countries.
In addition, President of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane received Auditor General of the National Audit Office of Mongolia Zagdjav Deleg and highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties between Mongolia and Laos through high-level visits, agreements, and economic, cultural, and educational exchanges. The President expressed satisfaction with the establishment of cooperation between the audit institutions of the two countries.
A joint training seminar was held for officials from the supreme audit institutions of the two countries. The event focused on conducting high-impact economic and social audits to support the implementation of development policies and goals. It also facilitated knowledge exchange on methodologies, technology, and operational practices, with a long-term vision of establishing a leading regional audit organization.
During the visit, the Mongolian delegation held discussions with leaders of the Lao State Inspection and Anti-Corruption Authority and the Professional Inspection Agency. The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, and the visit concluded successfully with productive discussions.
