Suspicion Arises over Embezzlement of $33,000 in Almaty Region's Entrepreneurship Management
In the heart of Kazakhstan's bustling Almaty region, an ongoing investigation into suspected corruption within the Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development Department remains shrouded in secrecy.
The Anti-Corruption Service of Almaty region has initiated a pre-trial investigation against the head of the department, who is alleged to have committed grave corruption crimes. According to reports, this individual is suspected of receiving a $33,500 bribe, representing 15% of a $666 million contract.
The Anti-Corruption Agency, the body responsible for reporting on the investigation, has not provided any updates on the nature or extent of the corruption allegations against the individuals in question. The investigation remains in the pre-trial stage, with no conclusion or final results reported as of early July 2025.
Further details about the subcontracting organization, beyond those already mentioned, are not being disclosed at this time. The LLC, involved in the investigation, was recognized as the winner for the construction of an object in the region, and the completed work was accepted without hindrance.
The official, founder, and director of the subcontracting organization have been detained and placed in temporary detention facilities in Almaty region. However, the specific preventive measure to be applied to the detained individuals has not been specified.
It is important to note that this investigation does not appear in major open sources, suggesting that it may still be confidential or unreported. This lack of public information is not unusual in ongoing investigations, particularly those involving high-profile individuals.
The restructuring of Kazakhstan’s anti-corruption functions, with the standalone Anti-Corruption Agency dissolved and merged into the National Security Committee as of July 2025, may affect ongoing investigations. However, the specific impact on this case in Almaty involving the Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development Department is unclear.
This investigation comes at a time when Kazakhstan is grappling with issues of corruption, as highlighted by the recent conviction and sentencing of a high-profile former Minister of Justice, Marat Beketayev, to nine years in prison for fraud and embezzlement. However, this case does not concern the Almaty regional Entrepreneurship Department.
As the investigation continues, the public awaits further developments and clarification on the allegations against the leadership of the Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development Department and the subcontracting organization. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the region and Kazakhstan's ongoing fight against corruption.
The ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Service of Almaty region involves allegations of corruption against the head of the Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development Department, with the individual suspected of receiving a bribe worth $33,500, which represents a portion of a $666 million contract. The investigation, still in the pre-trial stage, is being carried out by the Anti-Corruption Agency and has not reported any updates on the nature or extent of the corruption allegations.
