Prosecutor Seeks Prison Term for Shalkar Official in Bribery Case

The Shalkar District Court of Aqtobe Region heard closing arguments in the corruption case against Shuga Saduakasova, head of the district’s architecture, urban planning, and construction department, Orda.kz reports.

According to investigators, Saduakasova is accused of pressuring contractors for bribes. In one case, she allegedly demanded five million tenge from the director of Daneker LLC for signing off on completion certificates.

In another, she reportedly received eight million tenge from Asia Stroy Proekt 777 LLC. Investigators say the payments were split into installments and funneled through Kaspi accounts.

The state prosecutor declared Saduakasova guilty of bribery and urged the court to impose a prison term in a medium-security facility.

I request that the preventive measure in the form of travel restrictions and to behave properly be replaced with an arrest warrant and that the defendant be remanded in custody in the courtroom. I also request that Shuga Saduakasova pay 20 MCI (78,640 tenge) to the victims' compensation fund. I request that the material evidence be distributed in accordance with Article 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In accordance with Article 48 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I request that five million tenge with accrued interest from Imranova's account, recognized as criminally obtained, be forfeited to the state, as well as the six and a half million tenge voluntarily transferred by Saduakasova to the investigation. Furthermore, I request that the defendant be ordered to pay the remaining two million 250 thousand tenge, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor further noted that two earlier bribery cases had already been brought against Shalkar District officials and proposed issuing a special ruling to the Aqtobe regional akimat.

Saduakasova, who broke down in tears during her final arguments, said she initially accepted responsibility to protect her superior. Her lawyer urged the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

The defendant previously claimed she was following the akim’s orders.

Two other Shalkar District akimat employees were convicted on similar charges earlier this year. The court is scheduled to hear Saduakasova’s final statement on October 8.

Original Author: Ardak Erubay