Another Kospayev Sentenced in Astana: Brother of Bolat Nazarbayev’s Alleged “Right Hand” Found Guilty

The Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of Astana has sentenced Aibek Kospayev, the brother of Yeldos Kospayev — widely referred to as the "right hand" of Bolat Nazarbayev, Orda.kz reports.

Presiding judge Sayat Tashimbayev announced the verdict, finding Aibek Kospayev guilty under several articles of Criminal Code, including:

• Article 262, p. 2 – Participation in an organized group or criminal organization
• Article 249, p. 3, cl. 1 – Raiding
• Article 218, p. 3, cl. 2, 3 – Legalization (laundering) of money and/or property obtained by criminal means
• Article 189, p.4, cl. 1, 2 – Misappropriation or embezzlement of entrusted property
• Article 214, p. 2, cl.1 – Illegal entrepreneurship, illegal banking, microfinance, or collection activities
• Article 233, p. 2 – Manufacture or acquisition for the purpose of sale, as well as the use or sale of knowingly counterfeit means of identification and/or control stamps.
• Article 194, p. 4, cl. 1, 2 – Extortion.

In accordance with Article 58, p. 3, by partially combining sentences for multiple crimes, the court sentences Aibek Kospayev to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property and a 10-year ban on holding leadership positions in commercial organizations,Judge Tashimbayev announced.  

He will serve his sentence in a medium-security facility. After the verdict's rendering, he expressed disagreement.

Aibek is the brother of Yeldos and Aidos Kospayev, both of whom were previously convicted as members of the Kospayev organized crime group. Yeldos — also known as "Ludayed" (Man-eater - Ed.) and labeled the “right hand” of Bolat Nazarbayev — was sentenced to 15 years, while Aidos received 12 years.

Orda.kz has published a detailed investigation into the Kospayev group's activities, which include violent and coercive takeovers of business assets, shadow operations, and systematic intimidation of entrepreneurs.

According to investigators, Aibek and Yeldos Kospayev, together with Kunduz Nazarbayeva, daughter of Bolat Nazarbayev, were co-founders of AV Construction. On October 18, 2017, the listed owners of the company were Kunduz and Yeldos, raising further questions about ties between the group and elites.

In court, Aibek Kospayev denied all charges and his involvement with the criminal group. He claimed that no such criminal group exists. His lawyer, Amanzhol Mukhamedyarov, argued that Bolat Nazarbayev's sons should be in the courtroom.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya