Kazakhstan has launched the institute of public assistants to the Financial Monitoring Agency. Citizens will be able to officially help the state prevent economic and financial offenses, including financial pyramid schemes.
The new mechanism came into effect on May 23. It regulates who can become a public assistant, how the selection process works, and what actions such assistants are allowed to take.
Who can become a public assistant
The status of public assistant can be granted to adult legally capable citizens with an impeccable reputation. The Financial Monitoring Agency notes that civic responsibility, law-abiding conduct, and willingness to participate in preventive work will be taken into account during selection.
There are no special education requirements for candidates. Mandatory psychological tests will not be introduced either.
At the same time, the following people cannot become public assistants:
• minors
• legally incapable citizens
• people registered for preventive monitoring
• citizens who are subject to a pre-trial investigation
• people who have been held administratively liable for intentional offenses over the past year
How the selection process will work
To obtain the status of public assistant, a candidate must submit a written application to a territorial Department of Economic Investigations.
A copy of the identity card must be attached to the application. Life and health insurance documents may also be attached, if available.
After the application is submitted, the agency will check the candidate against databases. This will include information from drug addiction and neuropsychiatric registries.
The materials will then be sent to the local akimat. The akimat will make the final decision on granting the status.
If the candidate passes the selection process, they will receive a public assistant certificate. It will be valid for three years.
What assistants will be able to do
Public assistants will take part only in preventive and explanatory work. Their role is to help improve financial and legal literacy among the population, as well as assist in preventing economic offenses.
The FMA emphasizes that such assistants will not participate in operational activities or enforcement work.
They will not be able to:
• conduct covert filming
• collect evidence
• detain offenders
• use force
• present themselves as FMA employees
• infiltrate underground schemes
The agency explained that the boundary between lawful assistance and illegal collection of information depends on the existence of official powers.
Will assistants be paid
The rules do not provide for direct monetary remuneration for providing information.
The FMA explains that the main purpose of the public assistants institute is to develop prevention of offenses, improve financial and legal literacy, and strengthen cooperation between the state and society.
However, incentives may still be possible. Decisions on payments or other support may be made by akimats. This will depend on the capacity of local budgets.
Who will be responsible for training
Public assistants will be supervised and trained by employees of the Economic Investigation Service.
The personal data of program participants is promised to be kept confidential. Only a limited group of employees will have access to the case files.