Rakhmanov Springs: When Will the Resort Finally Reopen for Ordinary Visitors?

East Kazakhstan Region Akim Nurymbet Saktaganov has shared new details on plans to restore the Rakhmanov Springs resort, a site that had been in private hands for years and only recently returned to state control after a legal battle, Orda.kz reports.

The resort previously belonged to Bipek Auto Kazakhstan, whose main shareholder was businessman Anatoly Balushkin. The sanatorium is currently not operating, as regional authorities are completing paperwork and conducting a full inventory of the property.

Rakhmanov Springs is one of the most beautiful places in East Kazakhstan. Only at the end of August, after lengthy court proceedings, was the relevant decision issued, and we regained this facility. Right now we are putting all the necessary documents in order — land deeds, property deeds. We’ve completed the inventory: there are 92 structures and more than two thousand individual assets, Saktaganov said.

According to the akim, security is now stationed at the site, and technical and administrative work is underway. He separately highlighted the condition of the access road: 13 kilometers have already been repaired, with all work completed except the asphalt layer.

The asphalt is expected to be laid before the start of the next tourist season so that visitors can reach Rakhmanov Springs "safely, quickly, and comfortably."

When asked when the sanatorium might reopen in its original health-and-wellness format, Saktaganov said it was too early to name specific dates. He reminded that the region had no access to the site in recent years and only regained it at the end of August after the court ruling.

Right now we are sorting the documentation. Once that is finished, we will transparently form a working group to oversee the process. After a full review of all options, we will make a decision on how Rakhmanov Springs will be used going forward, he said.

In March, a court in Oskemen handed down verdicts to eight top managers from Asia Auto and Bipek Auto Kazakhstan, linked to fugitive billionaire Anatoly Balushkin. Two were acquitted, while six received sentences of 2.6 to 2.8 years, but all were released, having already served their terms.

After a fraud case was opened in 2021, he fled to Russia, obtained citizenship, and never appeared for questioning.

Kazakhstan continues to seek the return of his assets, including the Rakhmanov Springs resort, but Russia has refused extradition.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov