How a North Kazakhstan Official Turned Public Service into a Cash Machine — and Ended Up in Prison

A North Kazakhstan region court has delivered a verdict in a corruption case: Kanat Barkitov, acting deputy head of the Passenger Transport and Highways Department; carrier Vyacheslav Alekseev; road company director Berik Nurzhanov; and his employee Didar Makhashov were found guilty of fraud, giving and receiving bribes, and acting as intermediaries. 

The court established that the official systematically received monthly payments from the carrier and demanded money for signing road repair completion certificates, Orda.kz reports.

“You Have to Share”

In 2024, according to the court, Barkitov came up with a plan: find a business owner who needs “protection” and set up a steady stream of monthly “gratitude.”

This is where Vyacheslav Alekseev, the director of Alekseev & K LLP, enters the picture. His buses operate socially significant routes — the kind that must be subsidized from the budget. Barkitov had no control over these funds, but that did not bother him.

 A key factor was confidently claiming he could “solve problems.” 

Alekseev agreed. He began transferring 500,000 tenge a month — sometimes to Barkitov’s card, sometimes to the card of his wife. The court established that in 10 months, the total reached 5.5 million tenge.

The official sent bank details, confirmed payments, and pressed for deadlines. The court cited characteristic messages:

‘Send the numbers and yours,’ ‘send your ID number,’ the businessman writes. ‘Correct,’ ‘everything’s in order,’ ‘tomorrow morning,’ Barkitov replies.

But even such a scheme requires some secrecy. In audio recordings presented by investigators, the official discusses where to meet, which cards to use, and how not to get caught. He was ultimately caught while receiving the next payment.

The verdict describes the moment as follows:

On April 6, 2025, at approximately 13:40… he received from him an illegal monetary payment in the amount of 500,000 tenge.

Alekseev, meanwhile, was not exactly discreet. He discussed the scheme with a friend and his mother: “To work, you have to share,” “You have to send it every month.”

These conversations also became part of the evidence.

What About That One Time?

While the transport-related scheme continued, another contractor approached the department — NBS Construction LLP. The company carried out road repairs in the Shal Aqyn district and brought in a February 2025 work completion certificate. Barkitov needed to sign it — and he would, but not for free.

The court found that the official set the price at 500,000 tenge, showing it directly on a calculator. Company representative Didar Makhashov placed the envelope in a cabinet, just as Barkitov had “hinted.”

Cameras recorded everything frame by frame.

From the verdict:

For the court, this became a real-life illustration of what a bribe looks like — no cinematic suitcases, just a cabinet in an office.

Kanat Barkitov admitted guilt in the first episode but disputed the scope of the charges. He fully admitted the second episode. Alekseev cooperated with investigators, but that did not save him from sentencing.

Nurzhanov and Makhashov admitted to handing over money in the road repair episode.

Court Verdict

Kanat Barkitov: five years in prison, a lifetime ban on holding public office, and taken into custody in the courtroom.

Vyacheslav Alekseev: three years in prison, banned from working in state structures, also taken into custody after sentencing.

Berik Nurzhanov: a fine of 13.33 million tenge (26.66 times the bribe amount).

Didar Makhashov: a fine of 5 million tenge (10 times the bribe amount).

The convicted individuals have already filed appeals — the final word in this case will come from a higher court.

Original Author: Kristina Yusicheva