Former Almaty Chief Architect and Officials to Appeal Convictions in Land Fraud Case

Former Almaty Chief Architect Almaskhan Akhmedzhanov and several ex-officials of the city administration are appealing their convictions following the February 17, 2025 verdict by the Specialized Inter-District Criminal Court of Almaty (SICC).

They were found guilty of abuse of office, embezzlement, large-scale bribery, and aiding fraud, Orda.kz reports.

According to lawyer Pallada Tepsayeva, they have already filed appeals with the Almaty City Court’s criminal cases panel. The defense team is currently reviewing hearing transcripts and video recordings to prepare counterarguments against Judge Martpek Kakimzhanov’s guilty ruling.

Case Background

The case revolves around the illegal issuance of land plots and construction permits for elite residential complexes and social facilities. The Anti-Corruption Service conducted a two-year investigation, examining 25 fraudulent transactions and interviewing 250 witnesses.

The prosecution’s case relied on expert land law assessments.

Defendants in the Case:

• Almaskhan Akhmedzhanov – Former head of Almaty’s Planning and Urbanism Department
  
• Ardak Samambetov – Former head of the Land Relations Department
  
• Yerlan Zharmukhanbetov – Former head of the Land Management Department
  
• Almazkhan Bakirov – Director of an appraisal company
  
• Mukhanbetaly Shalkarbekov – Entrepreneur
  
• Berik Uskembayev – Entrepreneur

The former officials denied all charges, calling the accusations baseless. Three other defendants partially admitted guilt, which resulted in lenient sentencing. The Almaty Akimat (city administration) was recognized as the injured party in the case.

Verdict and Sentences

After a six-month trial, the court delivered its ruling on February 17, 2025:

• Akhmedzhanov – 11 years imprisonment
  
• Samambetov – 10 years imprisonment
  
• Zharmukhanbetov – 14 years imprisonment
  
• Bakirov – 8 years imprisonment
  
• Shalkarbekov and Uskembayev – 5-year suspended sentences (after full damage compensation and cooperation with investigators)

Additionally, Akhmedzhanov, Samambetov, and Zharmukhanbetov were ordered to pay 6.4 billion tenge to the Almaty Akimat jointly. They were also banned for life from holding public office or working in the quasi-public sector.

Judge Martpek Kakimzhanov also issued a private ruling demanding that the Almaty Akimat file lawsuits against landowners who received inflated compensation for seized plots.

Original Author: Zhanar Kusanova