A verdict has been delivered in Almaty for the former chief architect of the city, Almaskhan Akhmedzhanov, the former head of the Almaty Land Relations Department, Ardak Samambetov, and the head of a section within the Land Relations Department, Yerlan Zharmukhanbetov.
According to ORDA, two businessmen - Berik Uskimbayev and Mukhanbetal Shalkarbekov - were also in the dock alongside them, as well as the director of an appraisal company, Almazkhan Bakirov.
They were found guilty of abuse of official power, aiding and abetting fraud, embezzlement of entrusted property, and attempted bribery.
The court sentenced Almaskhan Akhmedzhanov to 11 years' imprisonment, Ardak Samambetov to 10 years' imprisonment, and Yerlan Zharmukhanbetov to 14 years' imprisonment.
Businessmen Uskimbayev and Shalkarbekov were each given 5 years' suspended sentences. The director of the appraisal company, Bakirov, was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment.
It will be recalled that in January, the investigation established that Uskimbayev obtained a land plot of 0.14 hectares under the pretext of implementing an investment project, which turned out to be fictitious. Despite having no authority to approve or endorse investment projects, Almaskhan Akhmedzhanov signed the document and affixed his seal.
In turn, Samambetov instructed that these materials be submitted for discussion by the land commission and that a draft positive conclusion be prepared. Thus, Uskimbayev leased the plot, erected some structure on it, and drew up a fictitious acceptance certificate for the supposedly completed construction.
Later, the plot was bought out at its cadastral value for 13.2 million tenge, despite a market value of 118 million tenge. The damage to the state amounted to 105 million tenge. Subsequently, Uskimbayev transferred the land plot to his relatives and sold it.
In addition, it was reported that the officials were involved in another scam involving a land plot of 2960 m². As in the previous case, the investment project was approved by Akhmedzhanov, and Samambetov instructed that the materials be submitted for discussion by the land commission. The damage to the state amounted to 74.5 million tenge.