Bolat Nazarbayev's Man-eater: State Prosecutor Requests Prison Term

The trial of a notorious organized crime group is drawing to a close in Astana.

The group was allegedly led by Yeldos Kospayev, known in criminal circles as "Lyudoed" (the man-eater) and described as the right-hand man of Bolat Nazarbayev.

On January 16, Astana's Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court began hearing closing arguments. 

The defendants include Kospayev, his brother, and eight other individuals.

Just before the proceedings, prosecutors strengthened their case by reclassifying several charges - notably changing fraud accusations to corporate raiding - and presented a revised indictment.

Prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for Yeldos Kospayev, the alleged ringleader, and 12-year sentences for his co-defendants.

The charges are extensive: corporate raiding, theft, running a criminal organization, document forgery, etc.

Due to an article on sexual inviolability remaining in the indictment, the trial is still closed.

The group's criminal activities were far-reaching.

They allegedly used intimidation and violence to seize businesses and company shares from entrepreneurs while also operating shadow enterprises.

The investigation led to the seizure of substantial assets: 133 properties, 11 land plots, 35 luxury vehicles, and $9 million in cash.

The group's business connections ran deep. Records show that Yeldos and Aibek Kospayev were listed as co-founders of AV Construction alongside Kunduz Nazarbayeva, the daughter of Bolat Nazarbayev.

On October 18, 2017, ownership of the construction company passed to Kunduz Nazarbayeva and Yeldos Kospayev.

One victim, Almas Abdygapparov, shared his story with Orda.kz founder Gulnara Bazhkenova, describing how Kospayev's gang seized his construction business and led to his imprisonment.

The Kospayev brothers and other members attempted to evade justice by fleeing to  Northern Cyprus but were ultimately captured and returned to Kazakhstan through a National Security Committee operation.

The investigation concluded on March 1, 2024, and the trial began on September 24, 2024.

Orda.kz continues to follow this developing story.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya