(9 January 2026 | Source: Telegram channel 'Politkuhnya')
The detention of a regional official who was part of the administrative circle of the East Kazakhstan region's akimat coincided with the public outcry over the collapse of the Schneiderov Bridge in Ust-Kamenogorsk. These events have drawn attention to the region's transport infrastructure management system and the personnel decisions of recent years.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE DETENTION
According to information from the Telegram channel 'Politkuhnya', on 8 December 2025, the head of the Department of Passenger Transport and Highways of the East Kazakhstan region, Daniyar Uakhitov, was detained by the Anti-Corruption Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The grounds were suspicion of receiving a bribe on an especially large scale.
At the time of the detention, it is reported that 170 million tenge and $300,000 were confiscated from him. A pre-trial investigation is being conducted against the official. Around 15 people are named in the case materials, who are providing testimony to the investigative authorities.
PERSONNEL LINKS AND SERVICE BIOGRAPHY
The publication separately mentions the current akim of the East Kazakhstan region, Nurymbet Saktaganov. It is indicated that Daniyar Uakhitov was previously considered one of the trusted managers of the regional head and was part of the circle of managers who carried out the instructions of the regional leadership.
Information is also provided that Uakhitov's appointment to the position of head of the regional department occurred four months after Saktaganov took office as akim of the region. Prior to this, Uakhitov held the post of deputy akim of a district.
During the period 2016–2020, both officials had already worked in the same region: Saktaganov as akim of the Ulan District, and Uakhitov as head of the Tavria Rural District.
RESIGNATION AFTER THE BRIDGE ACCIDENT
On 1 September, the Schneiderov Bridge over the Ulba River in Ust-Kamenogorsk collapsed. The structure, which had been repaired the previous year, lost one of its central spans.
It later became known that Daniyar Uakhitov left his post as head of the department, submitting a resignation letter of his own accord. The press service of the East Kazakhstan region akimat stated that the decision was made as part of efforts to reduce corruption risks.
According to the press secretary of the regional akim, Laura Zhakupova, following the accident on the bridge, an inspection was carried out involving law enforcement agencies, the results of which revealed unlawful actions by the former head of the department.
It is noted that the final legal assessment will be given by the authorised bodies.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT SUBSEQUENT DECISIONS
The acting head of the Department of Passenger Transport and Highways of the East Kazakhstan region has been appointed as Uakhitov's deputy, Nariman Almasuly.
It was previously reported that the authorities decided not to restore the collapsed Schneiderov Bridge, but to dismantle it and build a new one. 600 million tenge in budget funds had been allocated for the repair of the structure. It was noted that the bridge had been damaged in 2021, 2023, and 2025.
The FBRK editorial team reminds: in accordance with current legislation, all mentioned persons are considered innocent until a court decision enters into legal force. The investigation is ongoing; no further information on its results is currently available.