Deputy akim of Shymkent Ruslan Berdenov, who was the target of an assassination attempt on 21 April, managed a large private business before entering public service. He is still listed as the owner of several limited liability partnerships.
According to Kursiv.media, Berdenov is officially registered as the founder of four companies:
- LLP «PANA BOUTIQUE HOTEL» — registered in Shymkent at 4 K. Baiseitova Street, where a four-storey boutique hotel with 26 rooms is located. The company positions itself as the first Kazakhstani hotel chain of this format. It comprises four hotels and three premium restaurants, including Pana White Hotel in Moscow.
Since 2020, the LLP has paid 22.1 million tenge in tax contributions. Other founders include Birzhan Satanov and Dauren Bekseit. Berdenov's name is not mentioned on the company's official website. The media previously indicated that the Pana Boutique Hotels chain is part of the «Aq Niet Group» holding, owned by businessman Kairat Itemgenov.
- LLP «GOLDEN GRAIN TRADE» — engaged in wholesale trade of grain and animal feed. Registered in Kostanay. The director is Zeinolla Abdumanapov. In February 2024, he reported million-tenge losses due to delays of Kazakhstan Railways carriages. The company has a tax debt of more than 2 million tenge. Founders: Ruslan and Arman Berdenov.
- LLP «JIDE COUTURE» — a manufacturer of fur products in Almaty, producing handmade caftans and chapan robes. Founders are Ruslan Berdenov and Shaibanu Niyazaliyeva. No data on tax payments is available.
- LLP «Bori Group» — engaged in retail trade in non-specialised stores. Registered in Almaty at 77/7 Al-Farabi Avenue (Esentai Tower building). Founders: Ruslan Berdenov and Aman Kabdyrashit. No tax data is available.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that Berdenov previously managed a pharmacy chain and restaurants that were part of LLP «Aq Niet Group». The company's portfolio includes the largest pharmacy chains in Kazakhstan, «Europharma» and «Arzan Pharm». There are about 280 pharmacies of these chains across the country. «Aq Niet Group» also owns a chain of «convenience stores» with home delivery, «Emart».
From 2011 to 2018, Berdenov was the General Director of the holding, then became Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Currently, on the official website of LLP «Aq Niet Group», Ruslan Berdenov is not listed as a member of the supervisory board.
In an interview with Forbes in 2022, Ruslan Berdenov mentioned the launch of the «Sandyq» restaurant chain in Shymkent, Turkestan, and Almaty (under the brand «Sandyq Zhetysu»). These projects were also mentioned in the context of the business of the «Aq Niet Group» holding.
It will be recalled that on 21 April, an armed attack was carried out near the building of the Shymkent akimat on the deputy akim of the city, Ruslan Berdenov. As a result of the shooting, he sustained a gunshot wound and was hospitalised. After a four-hour operation, his condition stabilised. According to doctors, his life is not in danger.
On 22 April, details became known of the assassination attempt on Berdenov. It was reported that he was shot by Yernar Zhiyenbai — the head of LLP «Turǵyn úı Shymkent», a subsidiary of the akim's office which is involved in the construction of non-residential premises. The investigation believes the suspect developed a dislike for Berdenov after a recent meeting where they first met.