The Chairman of the Management Board of the Samruk-Kazyna fund, Nurlan Zhakupov, and the head of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Yelzhas Otynshiyev, have been detained on suspicion of corruption. According to media reports, they are charged with attempted receipt of a bribe on an especially large scale. Against the backdrop of the detentions, suitcases containing dollar banknotes were found in Astana near the Atlant residential complex.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE DETENTION
As reported by the National Security Committee (NSC), on 11 November officers of the Anti-Corruption Service detained the head of the Samruk-Kazyna fund, Nurlan Zhakupov, the Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Yelzhas Otynshiyev, and other persons.
According to Ulysmedia.kz, both executives were placed in a temporary detention facility. They are charged under Part 3 of Article 24 and Part 4 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Attempted receipt of a bribe on an especially large scale").
Earlier, Centralmedia24.kz reported that Otynshiyev had allegedly been caught red-handed at the Tanzhir lounge bar in the capital.
The NSC itself did not specify the charges, the amount of the alleged bribe or the circumstances of the detention.
SUITCASES WITH DOLLARS NEAR THE ATLANT RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
On the morning of 12 November, suitcases containing banknotes resembling US dollars were found near the Atlant-6 residential complex on Kunayev Street.
According to Qumash, a report about eight suitcases containing money was received by the police. Eyewitnesses claim they were thrown out of a window.
Journalists from Ulysmedia.kz arrived at the scene. Residents said that at around 9:00 investigative actions were taking place in the courtyard.
JOURNALISTS WERE ASKED TO LEAVE THE RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
According to Ulysmedia, security guards demanded that journalists leave the territory of the residential complex and banned filming without the permission of all residents.
One of the guards called the police. At the same time, the area was not cordoned off, and men in dark clothing who identified themselves as participants in the investigative actions were present in the courtyard.
Whether the money found is connected to the detention of the heads of KTZ and Samruk-Kazyna is not officially known.
WHO ARE THE DETAINEES
Nurlan Zhakupov has headed Samruk-Kazyna since April 2023. The fund manages Kazakhstan's largest state companies.
Yelzhas Otynshiyev became head of KTZ on 20 July 2026. He previously served as Managing Director of Samruk-Kazyna for Strategy and Asset Management.
