A high-profile trial concerning corruption and embezzlement of budget funds has concluded in Shymkent. Five defendants appeared before a jury, including former law enforcement officers, officials from the health department, and a businesswoman.
According to the press service of the Shymkent courts, one of the defendants, who held a senior position in a law enforcement agency, received a bribe of 70 million tenge from a businesswoman between 2019 and 2020 in exchange for protection for her private school. He subsequently laundered the money by purchasing two apartments, generating income from their rental and sale.
Furthermore, during a state procurement competition for medical equipment, a health department official and the businesswoman embezzled over 92 million tenge. Aware of the crime, the head of the law enforcement agency failed to take action to prevent it, acting in his own personal interests.
At the same time, the deputy head of the health department abused his official authority during the procurement of medical products and equipment.
Other episodes of abuse of power and illegal business activity also featured in the case. For instance, one detective transferred 7.5 million tenge to a health department official to participate in procurements and subsequently made a profit of 14.4 million tenge.
In the end, the court found the former head of the law enforcement agency guilty of accepting a bribe, money laundering, and dereliction of duty resulting in serious consequences. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the totality of his crimes. The jury, by a majority vote, acquitted him on the charges of fraud and incitement to bribery.
The health department official received 7 years in prison for embezzlement of others' property on an especially large scale. The businesswoman, found guilty of being an accomplice, was given a suspended sentence of 7 years in prison, with a ban from holding management positions in commercial organisations for a period of 5 years.
The detective was sentenced to 1 year of restriction of liberty and was released from punishment under an amnesty act. The deputy head of the health department was sentenced to 4 years of restriction of liberty.
Additionally, four of the convicted individuals received an additional penalty — a ban from holding positions in the civil service.