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Kazakhstan's Minister of Internal Affairs Provides Update on Former Security Committee Chairman

in Corruption / Kazakhstan - by


On March 20, 2024, Kazakhstan's Minister of Internal Affairs, Erzhan Sadenov, responded to journalists' questions regarding the whereabouts of former Chairman of the National Security Committee (NSC) of Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov.

Media representatives noted that there was information circulating on social media about Masimov attending an event, prompting them to inquire about the accuracy of the reports and Masimov's current location.

"We cannot show all prisoners, do a report. He has been convicted and is in places of deprivation of liberty," replied Erzhan Sadenov.

On January 6, 2022, the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan initiated a pre-trial investigation into state treason. Karim Masimov and other individuals were detained and placed in pre-trial detention centers.

On August 25, it was announced that the criminal investigation against Karim Masimov had concluded.

On April 24, 2023, a court sentenced Karim Masimov to 18 years in prison with property confiscation and a lifetime ban on holding public office. He was found guilty of state treason, violent seizure of power, and abuse of power. Anuar Sadykulov received 16 years of imprisonment, Daulet Ergozhin received 15 years, and Marat Osipov received three years.

On May 22, it was reported that the former NSC head had appealed the verdict.

On June 16, the appellate court amended the lower court's verdict regarding Karim Masimov and his deputies Sadykulov and Ergozhin, changing the type of correctional facility from maximum security to medium security.

On November 14, it was revealed that new criminal cases had been opened against Karim Masimov, with the NSC suspecting him of money laundering and receiving large bribes.