(6 January 2026 | Source: MIA "Kazinform")
Information about the detention of one of the heads of the district police in Shymkent has been officially confirmed. The National Security Committee (NSC) has reported the initiation of a pre-trial investigation, while refusing to disclose details, as lawyers claim provocative actions and deny the fact of receiving a bribe.
WHAT THE NSC CONFIRMED
The NSC reported that a pre-trial investigation is being conducted regarding the detention of the head of the police department of Al-Farabi District, Shymkent.
"A pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the NSC regarding the said incident. Other information is not subject to disclosure in accordance with Part 1 of Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code," the department reported.
MEDIA REPORTS AND SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATION
Earlier, a number of media outlets reported the detention of the head of the district police department while receiving a bribe on an especially large scale. It was reported that this concerned Batyr Mirzakeldiyev, allegedly caught red-handed while receiving 20 million tenge.
According to these publications, the special operation was carried out by officers of the NSC's anti-corruption service. These details were not officially confirmed by the committee.
DEFENCE POSITION
The fact of the detention was also confirmed by the suspect's lawyer, Talgar Yesimov. According to him, the defence does not admit guilt and considers the incident a provocation.
"Together with lawyer Viktor Krivonosov, we have begun to defend the interests of the head of the district police department of Al-Farabi District, Shymkent, Batyr Mirzakeldiyev, who was detained on 28 December by officers of the Anti-Corruption Service of the NSC Department. Due to the fact that this information has leaked to the media and was one-sided, we consider it necessary to state the position of the defence," Yesimov stated.
The lawyer emphasised that his client categorically denies receiving a bribe.
STATEMENTS ABOUT PROVOCATION
According to the defence's version, the criminal prosecution may have been initiated by third parties to avoid liability in other cases.
"We believe that these are provocative actions by other individuals to evade criminal liability; the proceedings against them are within the district police department of another district of Shymkent. There is no question of receiving a bribe," Yesimov noted.
"A NEW LEVEL OF FRAUD"
Furthermore, the lawyer claimed a new fraud scheme that, in his words, the defence has encountered.
"This is a new level, where, by gaining trust, they take money from the police chief, and then, to avoid returning it, they initiate criminal prosecution. After that come social media, and the former police chief becomes a corrupt official in the public perception," he said.
As the lawyer clarified, details of this version will be announced later.