Large Donations to Fraud-Linked Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan Fund Detailed in June 16 Court Hearing

On 16 July 2025, the trial of Perizat Kairat, the founder of the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 charitable foundation, continued with testimony from 22 plaintiffs in a single day, including banks, private citizens, and SMEs, Orda.kz reports.

Nationwide Donations 

Before the lunch recess, the court heard from plaintiffs who had transferred funds to Kairat’s foundation following the devastating floods in spring 2024.

Perizat Kairat and her mother, Gainy Alashbayeva, are accused of embezzling 3.5 billion tenge.

Regarding the donations thought to be meant for helping flood victims, the plaintiffs include NGOs, construction and manufacturing companies, retailers, and concerned citizens. Donations ranged from 30,000 to 200 million tenge.

Even parents from a Nazarbayev Intellectual School (NIS) were listed among the victims.

Saule Kuandykova, a representative of the NIS FMN parent committee, testified that parents acted collectively:

We made a decision as the parent committee and collected the money. On April 12, we transferred 901,855 tenge to the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 account. We trusted the fund because it was all over social media and looked credible. We also saw the fund doing other charity work. 

The funds were sent from the personal account of Zaure Abubayeva, the sitting committee chair.

But I am responsible for the money because the parents trusted me when I was chair. They responded to the call to help. Our intent was educational and patriotic,
Kuandykova said.

She emphasized that the NIS FMN should be fully compensated. If recovered, the funds would be redirected to charity.

Other plaintiffs that day included:

• “Stroykonstruktsiya” – 200 million tenge
  
• Okan Building – 689,983 tenge
  
• Grant Elit – 1 million tenge
  
• Jar Qurlys – 1 million tenge
  
• Provence – 2 million tenge
  
• Additional individuals and firms

Kaspi’s Donation

After the recess, Kaspi’s lead legal advisor, Aidar Ksembayev, was called to testify. He described the timeline of the company’s 620 million tenge transfer to Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030.

Two letters from Kairat had reached Kaspi on April 5 and April 8, 2024, requesting 120 million and 500 million tenge, respectively.

The board decided to help. On April 8, we transferred 620 million to the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 account in two payments — the first for 120 million, the second for 500 million,
 said Ksembayev.

The prosecutor asked how such a large fintech company came to trust a newly established foundation.

At the time, the slogan ‘Biz Birgemiz!’ was being heard all across the country. Kaspi’s leadership trusted the organization and decided to help. No one suspected anything illegal. We also checked the fund and saw no lawsuits or investigations. Plus, we learned another bank had already donated 300 million tenge. So, we believed in Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030,
Ksembayev explained.

He added that Kaspi didn’t follow up on the use of funds and didn’t require reports — they believed the money would reach those in need. Later, investigators determined that the funds had been embezzled. Kaspi is now seeking compensation for the full 620 million tenge.

When Perizat Kairat’s defense attorney, Aslanbek Dauletiyarov, began questioning Ksembayev, the tone shifted.

A courtroom exchange unfolded as follows:

Dauletiyarov: “Were you or anyone in Kaspi’s management in a close relationship with Perizat Kairat?”

Ksembayev: “I was not. What do you mean by close relationship?”

Judge Sabyrzhan Karimov: “The court finds this question inappropriate. Should we ask all plaintiffs if they had close relations with Perizat Kairat?”

Dauletiyarov: “Were there any trusting relationships between Kairat and you, Kaspi’s management, or any other plaintiffs?”

Ksembayev: “Not with me. I can’t speak for others.”

Dauletiyarov: “Then how did she receive such a large sum from your bank if there was no trust relationship?… Oh, she’s withdrawn the question.”

Then Perizat Kairat addresses Aidar Ksembayev: You cannot answer many questions in detail. Can an executive speak on behalf of Kaspi.... (At this point, the sound was turned off for journalists on the live stream.)

Throughout the day, Dauletiyarov posed similarly awkward questions. He challenged plaintiffs on their authority to transfer funds, demanded documentation, and questioned the ownership of collected donations.

47 Recognized Victims in Flood Episode

In total, 22 victims testified on July 16. According to prosecutor Arman Kiziken, the flood-related fraud case includes 47 recognized victims — both individuals and legal entities.

At day’s end, the court reviewed all case materials eligible for public disclosure. It then transitioned into closed session to handle documents potentially containing bank secrets or confidential information.

Charges and Background

Perizat Kairat faces charges under:

• Part 2, Article 190(4) of the Criminal Code (Fraud)
  
• Part 2, Article 218(2) (Money laundering as a group by prior agreement)
  
• Part 3, Article 218(3) (Legalization of criminal proceeds on a large scale)

Gainy Alashbayeva is charged under the same fraud article and two counts of money laundering.

Kairat, co-founder and director of Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030, was detained in autumn 2024. Authorities allege she embezzled charitable donations to purchase luxury properties, cars, jewelry, and designer items.

Her property was seized on December 13, 2024. She and her mother were taken into custody in April 2025.

The court has ruled that portions of the trial will remain closed to the public.
 
Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya