President of Aqtau International Seaport Abay Turikpenbayev Detained

Abay Turikpenbayev, President of JSC NC Aqtau International Sea Trade Port, has been detained in Aqtau, Orda.kz reports.

Several sources, including law enforcement agencies, confirmed his detention. According to available information, Turikpenbayev is currently in a pretrial detention center, and the National Security Committee (KNB) is conducting the investigation. Orda.kz has submitted an official request to the KNB for clarification regarding the charges.

No response has been received yet.

The criminal case against Turikpenbayev may be connected to oil smuggling. 

In July 2023, the KNB conducted a special operation: special forces seized the Meliana, storming the tanker using a helicopter and boats. Since then, the National Security Committee has not released further details.

In January, Orda.kz wrote a report that included the Meliana oil tanker. It was allegedly used for illegally transporting oil from Kazakhstan. The Meliana was later identified as the property of BatysNefteTrade LLC. Fully loaded with oil products, the vessel remains under arrest at the Aqtau port. Social media activists have claimed the investigation is being delayed due to the involvement of individuals connected to government agencies.

In January 2025, an Orda.kz correspondent asked Turikpenbayev about the Meliana and the oil smuggling allegations during a public meeting. He refused to comment.

Today, the press service of the Aqtau seaport informed us that in Turikpenbayev’s absence, Amir Atambayev has been appointed acting chair of the board of JSC NC Aqtau International Sea Trade Port.

Often referred to as Kazakhstan’s western gateway, the Aqtau seaport is part of the JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Joly group. Located on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, the port connects several international transport corridors, enabling the transit of dry cargo, oil, and oil products to Iran, Türkiye, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.

The Aqtau port handles more than 3.5 million tons of oil annually. In addition to oil, Kazakhstan exports grain, non-ferrous metals, and other goods through the facility.

Original Author: Dinara Bekbolayeva