Aitkali Maimushev, also known as Lyokha Maimysh, a prominent figure in the criminal world of Kazakhstan, was arrested in Moscow for possessing drugs. He may be linked to recent protests in his home country. What is his reputation, and what dangers does he face?
Aitkali Maimushev, a 63-year-old known as Lyokha Maimysh or Titanic in the criminal underworld, typically responds to law enforcement questions by stating, "They call me Lyokha Semipalatinsk. I am a thief in law."
Operatives from the Main Directorate of Criminal Investigation of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the MUR conducted a special operation to arrest the influential criminal figure from Kazakhstan at the Izmailovo Alfa hotel in Moscow a few days ago. Maimushev openly acknowledged his high criminal status.
The crime boss had just been indulging and went down to the lobby to "drink vodka," where he encountered the operatives. Maimushev explained that he had recently been at Gorny Altai but was asked to leave by local security forces. According to reports, he often visits Altai resorts for detox from hard drugs. His ties to this region go back a long way – his close friend Nurakhman Mamyrov, known as Mutai, used to oversee the territory and also struggled with drug addiction, ultimately dying in 2013 from liver cirrhosis.
While in transit in Moscow, the criminal figure was found in possession of a significant amount of opioid group drugs during the arrest. The Ministry of Internal Affairs department for the Izmailovo district has initiated a criminal case against him under Article 228 of the Criminal Code for drug trafficking. Maimushev could face up to three years in prison in Russia. However, he could face an even harsher penalty if charged under Article 210 of the Criminal Code for leading a criminal hierarchy, which carries a completely different term. He does not attempt to conceal his status.
Who exactly is Lyokha Maimysh?
Maimushev is considered the most senior thief in law in Kazakhstan, born in 1958 in Semipalatinsk and raised in an orphanage. He embarked on a life of crime from a young age and has been convicted six times for various offenses such as hooliganism, extortion, theft, illegal possession of weapons, and drug-related crimes. He was welcomed into the thieves' community in Moscow in 1997 and tasked with overseeing criminal activities in Kazakhstan. He also had close ties to criminal dealings in Siberia and the Far East. His friend was the late leader of the Far Eastern organized crime group "Obshchak," Yevgeny Vasin, known as Jem.
In the image, Lyokha Maymysh is seen embracing Jem. Photo © "Prime Crime"
There is a tale in the criminal world that during a drinking session in Nefteyugansk, friends were said to have argued – and Jem allegedly tried to strike Maymysh with a fork, but then leaped on him from the table with his whole body. Despite the weight difference, Semipalatinsk managed to pin Jem to the floor. They made amends in the morning after sobering up.
In 2004, the authority loudly declared itself in the republic, when the prisoners of several colonies opened their veins on his orders. After Maymysh was released from prison for the last time, he prudently left Kazakhstan and lived quietly in Turkish Antalya, only occasionally visiting his homeland. It is believed that Maimushev believed in Christ in Turkey and even created his own website, where he promotes his version of Christianity with elements of esotericism and Islam. Maimysh even hints that he may be the messiah, since it is written in the scripture that the day of the Lord comes like a thief (thief) in the night. Maimushev also found several moles on his back, which, according to authorities, indicates his messianic vocation.
Screenshot © x3alsen.ru
Also in Turkey, the authority has become close to the notorious criminal and boxer Arman Dzhumageldiev (Arman Dikiy), who is now accused of organizing riots in Kazakhstan. Wild was a loyal friend to another criminal leader from Azerbaijan, Nadir Salifov (Lot Guli), who claimed to be the number one thief in law.
From left to right: Nasyrov Abdurashit – Abram, Arman Dikiy and Lyokha Semipalatinsk. Photo © Instagram / arman_dikiy
Guli allegedly promised Kazakh thieves that the era of the Turks is coming in the criminal world and soon they will dominate the entire post-Soviet space together. But Guli’s nationalistic claims were interrupted by the killer’s shots, and after the death of his friend, Dikiy allegedly “went from hand to hand”, getting mixed up with local criminals and Turkish special services.
It is possible that the interest of the Russian security forces in the elderly lawyer was aroused solely in the context of his friendship with Diky. Interestingly, a day later, as it became known about the detention of Maymysh in Moscow, Diky’s lawyers in Kazakhstan spread a message that the authority had allegedly mysteriously evaporated somewhere from the Alma-Ata pre-trial detention center.
