“The visa is a big question” MFA doubts the legal status of the Kazakhstani citizen who died in the USA

Tengrinews.kz — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have reliable information regarding the activities of the deceased Kazakh citizen, Aset Kuralbay, in the United States or his legal status in the country. First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev stated this on the sidelines of the Mazhilis, reports a correspondent.

According to Ashikbayev, the Kazakh side has already provided all available information regarding this case.

"We have already shared all the information we had. Out of respect for the feelings of the deceased's family, we ask for understanding. We wish the family strength during this time. We offer our sincere condolences," said Yerzhan Ashikbayev.

Journalists also asked the diplomat what the deceased was doing in the United States and whether he held a U.S. visa.

"The deceased citizen lived in Chicago; we have that information. What he was doing in the U.S. is not reliably known to us, nor is his legal status. The presence or absence of a visa remains a major question," the First Deputy Minister replied.

Ashikbayev noted that in American cities, as elsewhere, there are high-risk areas. According to him, Kazakh diplomatic missions regularly warn citizens about the need to observe safety measures.

"Our consulates and embassy inform citizens on a regular basis. Of course, various situations occur. Unfortunately, this happened to our citizen," added Yerzhan Ashikbayev.

Context

The 24-year-old Aset Kuralbay lived in the Chicago area, in the village of Ford Heights, Illinois. He was last in contact on June 2. His phone has been unavailable since June 7, and on June 10, police discovered the young man's car.

Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the body of a man was found in the USA had discovered a body, who was presumed to be the missing citizen of Kazakhstan. The American side conducted the necessary procedures to establish his identity.

On June 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the deceased was Aset Kuralbay. Kazakh diplomats are providing his relatives with consular assistance regarding documentation and the repatriation of the body.