In September last year, a businessman filed a theft complaint with the police in Atyrau. According to him, 12 million tenge went missing from a car parked near a bank.
According to Press.kz, law enforcement officers determined that the businessman had staged the theft himself. It emerged that he had persuaded a certain builder to simulate the crime, for which he received 2 million tenge.
Ultimately, the court found the businessman guilty under Article 419, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Knowingly false denunciation accusing someone of committing a serious crime). This article carries a penalty of 3 to 8 years' imprisonment.
His accomplice was also held liable for aiding and abetting. The defendants admitted their guilt and showed remorse, and the court sentenced them to 3 years' probation.
It is noted that the arrested journalist Daniyar Adilbekov has also been charged under Article 419, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan over his publications about the Vice-Minister of Energy. Adilbekov's defence team is puzzled as to why his actions are being classified under this article, given that the journalist did not file a complaint with law enforcement authorities.