In the West Kazakhstan Region (WKR) a case is being investigated concerning the alleged embezzlement of 251 million tenge in investment subsidies allocated for the development of water-saving irrigation technologies. According to the investigation, fictitious construction cost documents were used to obtain the payments, and the transferred money was subsequently cashed out.
HOW THE INVESTMENT SUBSIDIES WERE OBTAINED
The West Kazakhstan Regional Department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) uncovered the alleged embezzlement of budget funds allocated under the agro-industrial complex development programme.
According to the investigation, the suspect used the companies under his control, Agrocomplex ARSEN LLP and OnegeAgroService LLP, to submit documents for investment subsidies. The payments were intended to reimburse supposedly incurred costs for the construction of water-saving irrigation systems in the Kuygenkol rural district of the Zhanibek district.
Fictitious payment orders and completion certificates were submitted to the authorised body as confirmation of the expenses.
WHERE THE 251 MILLION TENGE WENT
On the basis of the submitted documents, investment subsidies totalling 251 million tenge were transferred to the accounts of the two partnerships. According to the investigation, the money was subsequently cashed out.
Part of the funds was used to purchase a residential house. With the court's sanction, the said property was seized.
AT WHAT STAGE THE INVESTIGATION IS
The investigation is ongoing. No further details about the case are being disclosed, citing Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
CONTEXT
Earlier in the Kyzylorda Region, an unlawful transfer was uncovered of 60 million tenge allocated to an investment project in the livestock sector. The head of Syzdyk Ata LLP is suspected of channelling the funds to accounts under his control. The criminal case was sent to court.
In September, the director of Rashan LLP was named a suspect in a case concerning the embezzlement of credit funds amounting to 300 million tenge, allocated under the Keng Dala 2 programme for spring field and harvesting work. The court authorised the seizure of his assets.
In the same month, the AFM completed its investigation into the embezzlement of 103 million tenge in agricultural subsidies in the Turkestan Region. According to the investigation, through 4 sole proprietorships and two LLPs, false information was entered into electronic systems regarding the presence of farm animals and the carrying out of breeding work in order to obtain payments.
In July, a court passed sentence on 27 members of an organised criminal group in a case concerning the embezzlement of more than 3 billion tenge in budget funds. According to the case materials, in 2016–2021, through fictitious peasant farms and sole proprietorships, 24 loans were arranged, and 54 non-existent properties were listed as collateral. The convicted persons were sentenced to between 6 and 8 years of imprisonment.
