Sadvakassov’s Son Speaks Out as His Father’s Trial Nears Verdict

In the Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of Pavlodar, the trial of Viktor Dolgalev, head of the mining company Tioline LLP, his son, his lawyer Sanat Kurmanbayev, and Astana businessman Timur Sadvakassov is nearing its conclusion, Orda.kz reports.

“We Used to Have a Life”

The case against Astana entrepreneur Timur Sadvakassov and three other defendants is being heard in the Pavlodar Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court. Orda.kz previously reported how the businessman’s alleged “incitement to bribery” charge became linked to the case of Tioline director Viktor Dolgalev.

Timur’s eldest son, Alisher, spoke about how his family — now fighting for justice for the second time — is coping and waiting for their father’s return.

This case destroyed all our dreams, but it will never destroy us. We are my father, mother, myself — the eldest — two younger brothers, and two little sisters. Mom forbids us from watching court livestreams after finding out I saw one where the prosecutor demanded 10 years for my father last year. Over the past year and a half, we’ve only seen him for about a month or two — when he was acquitted and when we visited the Department of Economic Investigations in Petropavlovsk, aid Alisher Sadvakassov, 20.

We used to have a full, active life. Of the five of us, three were athletes. My younger brother Amir played chess and dreamed of becoming a footballer — they even called him a little Maradona. Even with his eyesight problems, he played like he was born with a ball. My sister Samina is a taekwondo candidate for Master of Sports, represented Kazakhstan at national and international tournaments, and won many titles — her coach planned to send her to the national cadet team.

Even their middle brother, Salvar, who was born with a heart condition, began swimming and training again after being cleared by doctors three years ago. 

Alisher himself started tennis at six, competed internationally, and received scholarship offers from three U.S. universities — plans that ended after his father’s arrest. Now, he says, their mother spends her days in court, Amir no longer plays chess, and little Sonya still cries at night, believing their father is in the hospital.

Despite everything, the family remains united and supported by his father’s colleagues and friends. “We’ve put our dreams on hold for one thing — to bring our father home,” Alisher says.

A Concerning Case

Timur Sadvakassov’s wife, Kamila, shared new details about the ongoing trial. Earlier, Orda.kz published documents from the Anti-Corruption Agency confirming that no crime had been committed. The North Kazakhstan Regional Prosecutor’s Office also found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Under Article 35, Part 1, Clause 2 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Procedure Code, a criminal case may be closed “in the absence of elements of a criminal offense.”

Nevertheless, Timur Sadvakassov is being tried for the second time on the same charge — incitement to bribery. The case file now consists of 153 volumes, which, according to the Sadvakassov family, exist for a single purpose: to ensure that Tioline director Viktor Dolgalev is imprisoned, with the other defendants treated as collateral damage.

On December 5, 2024, the Specialized Interdistrict Criminal Court of the North Kazakhstan Region, with a jury, fully acquitted the Dolgalevs, Kurmanbayev, and Sadvakassov. During that trial, unlawful actions by investigators were exposed. State prosecutor Timur Kulzhanov later stated in an appeal that jurors had reported being pressured — not by the defendants’ lawyers or relatives seeking an acquittal, but by investigative authorities attempting to secure a guilty verdict.

In court, the official allegedly behind this pressure was named: Maxim Pakhno, Deputy Head of the Department of Economic Investigations for the North Kazakhstan Region. The court issued a private ruling, and the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) launched an investigation.

Acting as her husband’s legal representative, Kamila Sadvakassova sent an inquiry to the FMA requesting information on any disciplinary action taken against Pakhno.

The agency replied that a case had been opened under Article 407 of the Criminal Code — obstruction of justice and pre-trial investigation.

In her closing arguments, Kamila Sadvakassova highlighted the lack of evidence in the case:

The prosecution has shown nothing that proves my husband’s guilt. In fact, the case materials show the opposite. There is no correspondence between Sadvakassov and Dolgalev. The entire case is based on supposed messages found on my husband’s phone — but no such messages exist. This was established in court.

She stressed that there is no connection at all between her husband and Dolgalev, whom investigators claim Sadvakassov incited to give a bribe, and from whom he allegedly took 90 million tenge.

There are no photos or videos showing Dolgalev giving money to Sadvakassov, no bank records of transfers between them. Dolgalyov never sent my husband the 90 million mentioned in the indictment, Kamila said.

According to the defense, the funds listed in the investigation as “bribes” or “embezzled money” were actually legal payments made by Dolgalev to lawyer Sanat Kurmanbayev under a formal service contract — legitimate attorney fees.

'When my husband was arrested, all his accounts were frozen,' Kamila explained. 'The Department of Economic Investigations conducted a financial review and confirmed that the 53 million tenge he had borrowed was spent exactly as stated — on salaries, customs fees, taxes, and company expenses.'

The trial is now approaching its conclusion.

In his final statement, Timur Sadvakassov addressed the jury:

The charges against me and the evidence presented do not correspond to the law. Unfortunately, this happens. But fortunately, there are 11 judges here (ten jurors and one presiding judge – Ed.). I ask you to judge according to your conscience. I did not commit the acts I am accused of. My defense has provided evidence of my innocence — you have seen and heard it throughout these many months. 

The jury’s verdict is expected in the coming days, followed by the court’s final ruling. The Sadvakassov family continues to hope for justice — and for their father’s return home.

Orda.kz will continue to follow the case.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya