The Ethics Council of the East Kazakhstan Region considered a disciplinary case against the head of the regional department of physical culture and sports, Askar Mozhanov, after a video appeared online in which he, during an online meeting, spoke rudely to his subordinates using profane language.
As reported by the regional akimat's press service, following the meeting, the Council, by a majority vote, decided to impose a disciplinary sanction in the form of a strict reprimand. A submission was sent to the Akim of the region regarding taking measures against the official.
Mozhanov publicly apologised for his behaviour — both in an earlier open statement and during the Council meeting. The akimat noted that the official has worked in the state service system for over 18 years and is being brought to disciplinary responsibility for the first time.
The department also commented on the online speculation that the head was under the influence of alcohol during the meeting.
According to representatives of the akimat, Mozhanov has a medical diagnosis — type 2 diabetes — which could have affected his physical condition. He himself stated his readiness to provide medical documents confirming the diagnosis.
"The East Kazakhstan Region akimat consistently adheres to the principles of openness, transparency, and zero tolerance for violations of ethical norms and legislation on state service. The consideration of disciplinary cases is carried out in strict accordance with legal requirements and the principles of objectivity," the statement reads.
To recall, earlier a video spread online of an online meeting of the East Kazakhstan Region's Department of Physical Culture and Sports, in which the head of the department, Askar Mozhanov, rudely addressed subordinates using obscene language.
The recording of the meeting was published on her Facebook page by journalist Yevgenia Bodrova. She appealed to the Agency for State Service Affairs with a request to investigate the situation.
Askar Mozhanov has been in the public spotlight before — but not over ethics, but over a potential conflict of interest.
Thus, the FBRK editorial office obtained bank documents according to which, in November 2023, Mozhanov's trip to Astana may have been paid for through intermediaries by representatives of the Torpedo hockey club.
As it became known, the club's operator — Alma Service LLP — transferred more than 500,000 tenge to entrepreneur Roman Bogachenko, which were then used to pay for Mozhanov's accommodation in hotels and services of a travel agency.
Instead of direct payment for hotel services, the money went through a chain of intermediaries, which formally concealed the source of funding for the trip.