Prosecutor Seeks Seven Years for Former Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Yerlan Kozhagapanov
Photo: Primeminister.kz
The trial over the alleged embezzlement of one billion tenge during the XV Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia is nearing its conclusion in Astana’s inter-district criminal court, Orda.kz reports.
On trial are former Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Yerlan Kozhagapanov and Lyazzat Kokkozova, head of the company Success K. Kozhagapanov is charged with abuse of office, while Kokkozova is accused of theft.
According to investigators, in 2018, Kozhagapanov used his position to favor a private company in securing the contract to organize the forum, held in Petropavlovsk. The Anti-Corruption Agency claims the event’s costs were artificially inflated, nearly doubling the actual expenses.
During the May 5 court hearings, prosecutor Arman Kiziken requested a seven-year prison sentence for Kozhagapanov. The prosecution also asked the court to strip him of the Aibyn Order (Order of Valor), 2nd Class and his special rank of “colonel of the customs service.”
For Lyazzat Kokkozova, the prosecutor requested eight years in prison with asset confiscation and a seven-year ban on holding financially responsible or executive positions in commercial companies.
The state prosecution also asked the court to partially satisfy a civil claim against both defendants, seeking the recovery of over one billion tenge.
Both defendants deny wrongdoing. Kozhagapanov has claimed in court that the case against him was fabricated and accused investigators of applying pressure.
Kozhagapanov was detained by the Anti-Corruption Service in March 2024.
The XV Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia was held in November 2018, with the participation of Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin. During the event, the two leaders signed several key agreements, including amendments to the Baikonur lease protocol and border-crossing arrangements for residents in frontier regions.
Original Author: Dinara Bekbolayeva
Latest news
- Two Injured Russian Climbers Rescued From Almaty Mountains
- Kazakhstan Denies Reports of Full CPC Shutdown
- South Korea to Help Kazakhstan Forecast Demographic Change
- Almaty Waste Company Stake to Return to State After Undervalued Sale
- Inspection of Former Almaty Akim’s Family Project Declared Illegal
- Kazakhstan Could Refine Russian Oil as Russia Faces Fuel Shortages
- Who Is Behind the Company Searching for Copper Near Atbasar?
- Almaty Airport to Take Out $670 Million Loan
- Kazakhstani Woman Dies in Belgrade, Father Suspects Her Friends Were Involved
- Who Will Keep Health Coverage Under Kazakhstan’s New Rules?
- Fake Journalists Tricked Karaganda Official Into Taking Out Loan
- Pavel Durov Declared a “Terrorist” in Russia
- Lawsuit Pushes Oskemen Authorities to Adopt New Alert Rules After Kazzinc Explosion
- Emergency at Pavlodar Power Plant: Two Workers Seek Medical Help
- What Back-to-School Aid Has Been Promised to Vulnerable Families?
- Employment Falls at Kazakhstan’s Small and Medium Businesses
- How Much Will It Cost to Ride Astana’s LRT From August 1?
- KASE and AIX Record Sharp Rise in Trading Activity
- Ten-Year Record: More Kazakhstanis Are Losing Their Driver’s Licenses
- What Can Tourists Expect? Kazakhstan Approves New Rules for Visitor Centers
