Kazakhstan: Yerlan Nigmatulin Under Investigation

Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General’s Office has confirmed to Orda that Yerlan Nigmatulin is under investigation for extortion.

The criminal case was initiated following a statement from businessman Ramis Ibragimov, who accused Nigmatulin of corporate raiding.

The pre-trial investigation service is handling a criminal case based on a statement by R. Ibragimov on the fact of extortion. In accordance with the requirements of Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Inadmissibility of disclosure of pre-trial investigation data), other data are not subject to disclosure,
Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General’s Office 

Ibragimov had earlier publicly claimed that Nigmatulin forced him to hand over his transport business, which serviced Kazakhmys, and attempted to take control of the Zara franchise owned by his wife.

Ibragimov detailed these allegations in an interview with the AIRAN YouTube channel, where he described intense pressure to surrender his assets.

Yerlan Nigmatulin is the twin brother of Nurlan Nigmatulin, the former Speaker of the Majilis (lower house of parliament). He has held positions in the lower and upper houses of parliament and was ranked among Kazakhstan’s most influential businessmen by Forbes in 2021.

Meanwhile, their brother, Argyn Nigmatulin, was recently placed on an international wanted list, facing accusations of embezzling state funds allocated for hockey development in the Qaraganda region.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina