In Atyrau city, a high-profile trial continues in the case of the former vice-mayor of Atyrau region, Bakytgul Khamenova, who is accused of taking a large bribe. And it’s likely that Khamenova will eventually be acquitted.
As ACCA has already reported, Khamenova and the former head of the Regional Department of Culture Akylbek Ryskaliyev were detained in December last year. As anti-corruption fighters reported at the time, they were suspected of receiving a kickback in the amount of $10.5 thousand for concluding a public procurement agreement for the installation of a monument to the famous Kazakh philosopher, educator and poet Abai Kunanbayev in Atyrau. At the same time, the amount of the contract for the installation of the monument was over $350,000.
At the first court hearings, Bakytgul Khamenova told the court that she was an ardent opponent of corruption and that she was a victim of persecution by the Anti-Corruption Agency because of her love for the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
“Of course, I am considered a supporter of Nazarbayev, because I constantly talk about him and worked under him, and I am on his side,” Khamenova told the court. “Yes, I love Elbasy and I will talk about his services to our Motherland. And if they hate me for it, let them hate me!”
In turn, the Anti-Corruption Agency didn’t agree with the accusations of the defendant and it has already responded to Khamenova’s accusations against them.
“In social networks, information is being disseminated with the statements of the defendant Bakytgul Khamenova about her unreasonable persecution by the Anti-Corruption Agency. We inform you that in December last year Khamenova was convicted of receiving a bribe in a group of persons by prior agreement with the head of the Department of Culture A. Ryskaliyev from U. Adamov (the director of BALKYTU LLP) for concluding a public procurement contract and general patronage in the course of fulfilling obligations. Her actions were qualified taking into account the collected evidence, including the results of undercover investigative actions, as well as direct testimony of suspects and witnesses. The validity and legality of the charges were confirmed by the prosecutor. The final decision on the guilt of Khamenova and other persons will be made by the court,” was stated in the official commentary of the Department.
But, judging by the last meeting, Bakytgul Khamenova was right in her suspicions and accusations. The fact is that the second defendant, Akylbek Ryskaliyev, retracted his previous testimony, in which he claimed that the money (which he received from the head of BALKYTU LLP Umirtay Adamov) was a bribe for Bakytgul Khamenova. According to him, this money was actually sponsorship from the company. Ryskaliyev clarified that he had slandered Khamenova on instructions received from representatives of the Anti-Corruption Agency in exchange for the promised status of a witness and exemption from criminal prosecution. However, Anti-Corruption Agency didn’t fulfill its promise, and the ex-head of the Regional Department of Culture decided to confess everything.
Bakytgul Khamenova, who was in the dock at that moment, said that because of Ryskaliyev and his collusion with the Anti-Corruption Agency, she spent 10 months behind bars, but at the same time she found the strength to thank Ryskaliyev, who had come to his senses, for his courage.
After such a loud statement by Akylbek Ryskaliyev, the court announced a break, and then scheduled the next hearing for October 21. It’s likely that in view of the new circumstances revealed to the court, the charges against Khamenova will be dropped.
