On 18 September 2026 a court handed down a sentence to the chairman of the Kazaly District Court of Kyzylorda Region, Dauren Abdykalykov, and to a judge of the same court, Serik Bertai. Both received 9 years' imprisonment in a corruption offences case.
WHAT THE COURT ESTABLISHED
According to the National Security Committee (NSC), the court found Dauren Abdykalykov and Serik Bertai guilty of accepting a bribe.
Their actions were classified under paragraph 2 of part 3 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Receiving a bribe by a group of persons by prior conspiracy").
One of the convicted men was also charged under paragraph 4 of part 3 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Receiving a bribe repeatedly").
HOW THE CASE BEGAN
In January 2026 it became known that Dauren Abdykalykov had been detained. The NSC confirmed that a pre-trial investigation was under way, but at the initial stage did not disclose details of the case.
According to unconfirmed reports, the investigation was linked to a statement by relatives of a man convicted in a fraud case. It concerned the transfer of KZT 6 million, and then a further KZT 300,000. It was alleged that the money was intended for assistance in matters of sentencing and early release.
WHO ABDYKALYKOV AND BERTAI ARE
Dauren Abdykalykov was appointed a judge of the Kazaly District Court in 2013. In 2021 he took charge of the same court. Before being appointed a judge, he worked in the tax sector and in the office of the Kyzylorda Regional Court.
Serik Bertai from 2001 to 2016 held various positions at the Kazaly District Court. He subsequently worked as a judge of the Munaily District Court of Mangystau Region and the Aral District Court.
In March 2023 he was appointed a judge of the Kazaly District Court.
