Translated with AI
Kazakhstan's National Security Committee may investigate comedian Nurlan Saburov for mercenarism following reports of his assistance to Russian military personnel.
Kazakhstan's Deputy Prosecutor General, Galymzhan Koigeldiyev, stated that an investigation is possible following information about the transfer of equipment to the Wagner Istra Legion fighters. This involves 10 pit bikes.
It was previously reported that Saburov lived in the Istra District of the Moscow Region before being banned from entering Russia. According to published reports, he donated pit bikes to Russian military personnel.
In Kazakhstan, such assistance may fall under Article 170 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “Mercenarism,” which provides for liability for participation in and assistance to armed conflicts.
Saburov is a stand-up comedian, humorist, and film actor, born on December 22, 1991, in Stepnogorsk. After graduating from high school, he moved to Yekaterinburg, where he studied at the Ural Federal University and began performing in the KVN team and stand-up comedy. In 2014, he moved to Moscow with his family and became a resident of the show "Stand Up" on the TNT channel, and in 2019, he hosted the YouTube project "What Happened Next?" In 2020, Forbes magazine included him in its "30 Under 30" list in the "New Media" category. Since the early 2020s, he has also appeared in films and participated in various comedy projects.
In May 2025, Saburov was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport for violating immigration laws—he had overstayed in Russia. He was fined and ordered to leave the country.
In February 2026, the comedian was banned from entering Russia for 50 years. This occurred at Vnukovo Airport after arriving from the UAE. Border services notified him of the entry ban, citing national security concerns and other violations, including immigration and tax issues. Video of the incident appeared online. Saburov later flew to Almaty.
