Former head of JSC NC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" (KTZ) Erlan Atamkulov accused Timur Kulibayev of selling key divisions of the national company to the Russian JSC "Transmashholding" (TMH).
According to the Telegram channel "Nege.kz", in 2022 after the January events, Atamkulov reported in a letter to President Tokayev how Nursultan Nazarbayev's family allegedly nearly bankrupted KTZ.
It is reported that following this, law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case, and its investigation lasted 2.5 years. According to Atamkulov, during this time Kulibayev managed to sell divisions important to KTZ.
"When it became clear that the case was taking a bad turn, Kulibayev began a fire sale. Part went to Kazakhstani businessmen, but the strategic assets – 13 locomotive depots and 8 carriage depots – went to the Russian 'Transmashholding'. Now KTZ's locomotive maintenance is 100% under the control of the Russians", Atamkulov stated.
In turn, the head of the KTZ apparatus Serik Keulimzhayev told journalists that the national company has no partnership relations with the Russian TMH.
"Technical and service maintenance of locomotives is carried out by the following companies: Service maintenance of KZ8A series electric locomotives is performed by LLP 'EKZ' (Electric Locomotive Assembly Plant); Service maintenance of TE33A/As series diesel locomotives is performed by the Kazakhstan branch of WABTEC, 'Transportation Global LLC'; Technical maintenance of VL80 series electric locomotives, 2TE25KM, 2TE10MK/VK series diesel locomotives and TEM, TME, SKD6E series shunting locomotives is performed by LLP 'Kamkor Locomotive' and a number of other private repair enterprises", the statement reads.
It is noted that in spring, the Russian TMH sold its major assets in Kazakhstan. The absence of assets was also confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Construction.
Nevertheless, if you look at TMH's financial reports for January to June of last year, you can see that the holding comprised 63 organisations, and its financial and economic activities were conducted in Russia, Belarus, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, the UAE and India.
This document also notes that TMH indirectly controls LLP "Prommashkomplekt", the only enterprise in Kazakhstan producing solid-rolled railway wheels.
To recall, in November, the Asset Recovery Committee of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan filed a lawsuit against Timur Kulibayev in the Almaty City Court. The case was to be heard in the appellate instance. The details of the lawsuit were not disclosed.
In early December, journalists discovered that the individual identification numbers (IINs) of former President Nazarbayev, his daughters, and Timur Kulibayev had disappeared from the database of the State Revenue Committee.