A Kazakh woman known publicly as Aika, who was previously at the center of a high-profile criminal case, has returned to the public eye after launching a new Instagram account.
The blogger published a video in which she reflected on how she changed during her prison sentence and the lessons she said she learned while incarcerated.
Background of the сase
Aika is a blogger from Almaty who previously maintained a popular Instagram account showcasing a lavish lifestyle, travel and expensive gifts. From 2020 to 2023, authorities say she organized a network of so-called «elite escorts.»
According to investigators, she recruited women with model-like appearances and arranged intimate services for wealthy clients, taking a percentage of the proceeds.
«I want to live honestly»
In the video, Aika addressed social media users and journalists, saying she intends to «continue living honestly.» She described surviving a difficult period in her life and said her priorities now are restoring her health and raising her child.
«I cried every day. Every day,» she said in one post. «Sometimes quietly, so no one could hear, sometimes from helplessness, from pain, from the inability to breathe freely. Life among other women, in strict and cold conditions, where there is almost no warmth or support — it’s hard to explain. That’s where you learn to control yourself so you don’t completely break down.»
Health struggles after release
Aika previously received a deferred sentence. She said that following her release, she underwent several surgeries related to health problems that developed during or after her incarceration.
Mixed reaction online
Her new Instagram account quickly drew attention and sparked heated debate in the comments section, with reactions ranging from expressions of sympathy and support to sharp criticism.
