Environmental Official Arrested for Bribery in Ulytau

Anti-corruption authorities have detained Dastan Tleubekov, head of Ulytau region's ecology department, for allegedly accepting a 2.5 million tenge bribe from Bass Gold LLP in exchange for an environmental permit, Orda.kz reports.

Tleubekov is being held in Jezkazgan's temporary detention facility while awaiting the court's decision on preventive measures.

A veteran civil servant, he began his career in 2003 as an environmental protection specialist and led the environmental assessment and permits department from 2016 to 2018.

He was appointed to his current position as regional ecology chief in September 2022.

The company involved, Bass Gold LLP, operated under the name Forpost until September 2023.

Established in 2006, it pays annual taxes exceeding 330 million tenge.

The company is part of a holding group formed in March 2023, owned by Chingiz Sadvakasov and Erlan Tasbulatov.

Sadvakasov's career includes positions at the Ministry of Finance, KazMunayGas, and the Eurasian Resources Group (ERG).

Original Author: Islambek Dastan