The mayor of the town of Khromtau in the Aktobe region, Sagyndyk Shabykbaev, was found guilty of accepting a bribe and fined 11.3 million tenge. The district court permanently disqualified him from holding positions in the civil service.
According to Kazinform News Agency, in addition to the mayor, charges were brought against an Aktobe resident, Nurbek Kazbek. Shabykbaev was charged under the article 'Acceptance of a bribe', and Kazbek under the articles 'Acceptance of a bribe' and 'Extortion'.
It is reported that in October, Nurbek Kazbek, acting in the interests of the mayor of Khromtau, demanded from a contractor carrying out improvement and repair works that he hand over 400,000 tenge for Sagyndyk Shabykbaev and another 1.1 million tenge for himself.
Court materials indicate that Kazbek threatened the use of force if the money was not handed over by the specified deadline. As a result of these actions, the victim suffered damages in the amount of 700,000 tenge.
During the trial, the victim forgave Nurbek Kazbek. Consequently, the court terminated proceedings under Part 1 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ('Extortion'), and the defendant was only held liable for the episode related to bribery. Both defendants fully admitted their guilt.
"I fully repent of my actions. I completely agree with the charges brought against me and admit my guilt. I request that a fine be imposed as a punishment," stated Sagyndyk Shabykbaev in court.
The court considered the case under a summary procedure. After the parties' arguments, the verdict was announced on the same day.
Ultimately, Sagyndyk Shabykbaev was found guilty and permanently disqualified from holding positions in the civil service, as well as in judicial bodies and local government bodies. The court imposed a fine of 30 times the amount of the bribe received — 12 million tenge. Taking into account the time spent in custody, the final amount of the fine was 11.3 million tenge.
Nurbek Kazbek was permanently disqualified from working in the public and quasi-public sector without confiscation of property. The imposed fine also amounted to 12 million tenge. Taking into account the time spent in custody, the final amount of the fine was 11.3 million tenge. Both convicts were released from custody in the courtroom.
It will be recalled that it was reported in November that the 40-year-old official, who had been running the town for the last two years, was suspected of accepting a bribe. After his detention, the Aktobe Regional Court authorised his arrest for a period of two months.
Later, it was noted that law enforcement had completed the investigation into Shabykbaev and referred the case materials to the Khromtau District Court.