Illegal extraction of stone and soil was uncovered during major repairs to the Almaty–Ust-Kamenogorsk highway in the Zhetysu region. The preliminary damage to the state exceeded 115 million tenge. A criminal case was opened over the violation.
HOW THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WERE EXTRACTED
According to the Zhetysu region prosecutor's office, the violations were identified by the region's specialised environmental prosecutor's office.
The inspection established that a contractor was extracting stone and soil from a mountain slope without the necessary permits. The extracted materials were used as a foundation in the construction of a road of republican significance.
WHAT DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE STATE
The preliminary damage from the illegal subsoil use was estimated at more than 115 million tenge.
The prosecutor's office statement does not specify the name of the contractor, the volumes of materials extracted or the duration of the works.
WHAT CRIMINAL CASE HAS BEEN OPENED
A criminal case was registered over the identified fact under paragraph 3 of part 3 of Article 334 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Unauthorised use of subsoil").
A pre-trial investigation is now under way. Its progress is being monitored by the Zhetysu region prosecutor's office.
The law enforcement authorities are continuing their work to identify violations of environmental legislation and to protect the region's natural resources.
