The Department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) for the East Kazakhstan Region is conducting a pre-trial investigation into the management of QazConstructions LLP. The company is suspected of embezzling budget funds allocated for the construction of 11 social facilities in seven districts of the East Kazakhstan Region and the Abai Region.
According to the press service of the agency, among the suspects is a former deputy director of the enterprise who is a deputy of the Kurcrum District Maslikhat.
The funds were intended for the implementation of infrastructure projects. However, the investigation established that four sports complexes and water supply facilities for seven villages were never put into operation. Over 20,000 residents were left without water.
The total amount of embezzlement exceeded 2 billion tenge. The money was cashed out through affiliated companies.
With the illegally obtained funds, the suspects purchased apartments in elite residential complexes in Astana, vehicles including a Lamborghini Urus, Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes, as well as rare breeds of horses. By court order, the property has been seized.
A measure of restraint in the form of arrest for a period of two months has been chosen for two individuals involved in the case.
It is worth recalling that among the facilities being built by QazConstructions LLP is a physical fitness and sports centre in the village of Katon-Karagai, East Kazakhstan Region, the construction of which has been ongoing for five years.
In July, the regional governor Nurymbet Saktaganov during a working trip inspected the progress of the work and ordered the completion of the construction of the sports centre by 1 September. According to the regional administration, the readiness of the facility is approximately 90%. The installation of pumps, landscaping, and commissioning works remain incomplete.
Previously, in September 2023, public figure and executive director of the Republican Public Association «Adildik Zholy», Didar Smagulov, reported that initially 487.3 million tenge was allocated for the construction of the facility, but the amount later increased to 666.4 million tenge, and the deadlines were repeatedly extended. At the same time, the contractor — «QazConstructions» — despite the delays and incomplete construction, was never held accountable — the court proposed mediation.