ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A Pakistani man has gone on trial in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, for allegedly heading a human smuggling ring.
Sarfazar Hussain appeared in the Almaly District Court on January 23 on charges of organizing "an illegal immigration channel" for citizens from Pakistan, Iran, India, China and other countries.
Prosecutors say Hussain is part of a criminal group that brought foreigners into Kazakhstan who intended to stay in the country.
Two Kazakh citizens, Ghalia Dosymova (eds: a woman) and Bekzhan Nametov, are co-defendants in the case.
Investigators say the group has helped foreigners to illegally stay in Kazakhstan since 2007.
Some 145 people have been summoned to the trial to testify as witnesses.
