Astana, 28 October. The Penitentiary System Committee of Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry explained that businessman Kairat Boranbayev, who was seen at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on 26 October, was not under probation supervision at the time of the trip: on 1 June 2026 a court granted his application for parole from the remainder of his sentence of restricted freedom, Nege.kz reported after receiving the committee's official reply.
Probation supervision is oversight of people sentenced to restricted freedom, under which they may not leave their place of residence without permission. Parole removes these restrictions. According to the outlet, Boranbayev, owner of FC Kairat, was detained in March 2022 on suspicion of large-scale embezzlement in the quasi-state sector.
The businessman's appearance at the Ballon d'Or raised questions on social media, as many believed he was still serving his sentence. The committee's reply explains why the trip did not breach any restrictions.
What it means: A businessman sentenced to restricted freedom was able to travel abroad legally: he has been on parole since June and is not under probation supervision.
What we know now: The reply was given to Nege.kz; Boranbayev and his representatives have not publicly commented on the trip.
Background: Restricted freedom is a sentence served without isolation from society: the convicted person lives at home but under the supervision of the probation service and may not leave their place of residence without permission.
