Relatives of 22-year-old Kazakh citizen Yernur Almakhan, who was sentenced to life in prison in Dubai, say they do not believe he is guilty and suspect he may have been framed, according to local outlet Ak Zhaiyk.
Yernur’s relatives were unaware of the charges for an extended period and only learned of the verdict in April 2026. The ruling was issued by a court of first instance on March 18. An appeal has already been filed, with a hearing scheduled for April 27.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the case and said the verdict has not yet entered into force. The ministry has sent an official request to the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates and is awaiting a response.
According to media reports, Yernur traveled to the UAE in September 2024 to work as a driver.
Several outlets have linked his case to an attack on a Dubai villa on New Year’s Eve 2025. Reports say Edvard Sabirov, identified as a co-founder of the Finiko Ponzi scheme, was staying at the property at the time.
Earlier reports said Yernur was convicted of multiple serious offenses and sentenced to life imprisonment, along with a fine exceeding 2.5 million dirhams (approx. $680,000).
