Criminal case may be opened against Saburov in Kazakhstan

Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov may face charges of “mercenarism” from the Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan. This was reported by Central Asia.

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prosecutor General Galimzhan Koigeldiyev said an investigation could be launched following reports that Saburov allegedly handed over 10 pit bikes to fighters of the “Legion Wagner Istra.”

Before being banned from entering Russia, Saburov had lived in the Istra district of the Moscow region. According to information published in the media, he allegedly provided pit bikes to Russian military personnel.

In Kazakhstan, such assistance may fall under Article 170 of the Criminal Code, “Mercenarism,” which предусматривает liability for participation in armed conflicts or assistance to them.

Nurlan Saburov is a stand-up comedian, humorist, and actor. He was born on December 22, 1991, in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan. After finishing school, he moved to Yekaterinburg, where he studied at Ural Federal University and began performing in KVN and stand-up comedy. In 2014, he moved to Moscow with his family and became a resident of the TNT channel’s Stand Up show. In 2019, he became the host of the popular YouTube project “Chto bylo dalshe?” In the early 2020s, he also began acting in films and participating in various comedy projects, though his political statements and views on international conflicts led to criticism and the cancellation of concerts in some countries.

In May 2025, Saburov was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport for violating migration laws. He had overstayed his permitted period in Russia, was fined, and ordered to leave the country.

In February 2026, the comedian was banned from entering Russia for 50 years. After arriving at Vnukovo Airport, he was handed an official document stating that he was prohibited from entering the country. A video of the incident spread online, after which Saburov refused deportation conditions and flew to Almaty.

According to reports, he allegedly attempted to hide his income through intermediaries but refused to obtain Russian citizenship due to concerns about sanctions.

E’zoza Olimova