Almaty Metro Builder Describes Pressure from Associates of Gadji Gadjiev In Interview

Kairat Reimov, head of AlmatymetroQurylys JSC, the company that built 11 metro stations in Almaty, spoke to journalist Vadim Boreiko about how associates of Gadji Gadjiev allegedly attempted to take over his company before abruptly disappearing following the events of early September, Orda.kz reports.

Background

On September 4, Orda.kz reported on large-scale detentions and investigations involving former Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, businessman Gadji Gadjiev, and former and current KNB officials.

Authorities denied the arrests, and the Orda team faced online attacks.

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev later dismissed Nurtleu, and Gadjiev’s whereabouts have not been publicly disclosed since.

Reimov Speaks Out

Reimov said he decided to give the interview thanks to Orda’s founder, Gulnara Bazhkenova, whom he credited for her courage in publishing the initial exposé.

The question was whether to run into trouble or not. When you realize you’re up against a wall and your opponents are far more powerful and better armed than you, then going head-on against them is reckless. But given that the situation is changing, now, in my case, is the time to speak up,
 Reimov said.

His encounter with Gadzhiev’s associates occurred during the selection process for the company to complete the next phase of the Almaty metro construction.

I was told that my company wouldn’t be building the metro; Integra would be doing it instead. As far as I understand from discussions at the akimat level and other meetings, this concerns a company that is unofficially owned by Gadji Gadjiev,
Reimov explained.

He added that Integra lacked any experience in metro construction, which he emphasized was essential for such a project. Nevertheless, officials appeared intent on promoting a proposal involving a major Chinese company as an investor.

Reimov claimed that bearded men representing Gadjiev’s group came to his office, pressuring him to surrender control.

Their demands were that we agree not to be the primary developers but to be subcontractors. They would take over the main contract, and then, no matter what terms they presented to us, we’d better agree to them,
Reimov recalled.

However, after Orda’s publication in early September, the effort to push Almatymetrokurylys out of the bidding process quickly unraveled.

I have the opportunity to obtain information in the industries where this group operated, and they’ve been practically "nullified." They’ve been pushed aside, including from my company. Since the recent leadership changes and dismissals, these people have practically disappeared from the project,
 Reimov said.

What’s Next

The tender to select a contractor for new metro stations in Almaty is scheduled for November. Reimov expressed hope that the recent shake-ups in government will reach the local level and that the list of bidders will be revised.

He also suggested that theories about a “shadow KNB” or “shadow state” in Kazakhstan may have merit, implying that Gadjiev and Nurtleu’s circles could have been involved in political maneuvering, including around the formation of the presidential team.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya