Trial Begins for Perizat Kairat Accused of Embezzling 3.5 Billion Tenge  

The high-profile trial of controversial activist Perizat Kairat and her mother, Gaini Alashbayeva, began in Astana, with both women accused of embezzling 3.5 billion tenge.

The court proceedings, partially closed to the public, included multiple mentions of former Almaty mayor and ex-Nur Otan party chairman Bauyrzhan Baibek, Orda.kz reports.

Baibek’s name was first brought up when the judge asked Kairat whether she pleaded guilty.

In the indictment, it says that I created the public association (Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030) together with my mother and forged the signatures of the other founders. But that’s not true. The association was created under the Nur Otan party (the party founded by Nursultan Nazarbayev, now called Amanat) under the leadership of Bauyrzhan Baibek,
 said Perizat Kairat.

She refused to plead guilty.

I do not agree with the indictment. The claims outlined in it are baseless. I am not responsible for the investigators’ fantasies. I do not accept the charges brought against me and I will fight back in the upcoming hearings,
 Kairat declared.

Her mother, Gaini Alashbayeva, also denied the charges.

Baibek’s name came up two more times during the testimony of a representative for one of the alleged victims — a businessman who had donated funds to Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030. Baibek served as first deputy chair of Nur Otan from June 2019 to January 2022.

Perizat Kairat faces charges under Article 190 Part 4 Point 2 (fraud), Article 218 Part 2 Point 2 (money laundering by a group in collusion), and Article 218 Part 3 Point 3 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan (laundering of criminal proceeds in especially large amounts).

Gaini Alashbayeva is charged under the same fraud article and additional sections of Article 218.

Perizat Kairat — co-founder and head of the public charity fund Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan 2030 — was detained in fall 2024 on suspicion of large-scale embezzlement. 

According to the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA), Kairat solicited donations to help children in need, those affected by floods, and Palestinians. But investigators say all funds were sent to either her or her mother's personal accounts.

On December 13, 2024, authorities seized Kairat’s assets. Investigators believe the charity funds were used to purchase luxury homes, expensive cars, jewelry, and branded accessories.

In April 2025, both Kairat and Alashbayeva were taken into custody.

The case was transferred to court on June 30, and preliminary hearings began on July 9. The court ruled to partially close the trial.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya