What are the chances of Akzhan Kazhegeldin's rehabilitation? This question may be discussed in Kazakhstan's power circles next year. As reported by Sadaq.kz, citing Dalanews.kz, some government representatives believe that acquitting the former prime minister would be a fair step.
“The discussion of this issue is expected in the spring of next year. Whether he returns to his homeland is his personal matter. But Kazakhstan should take the first step by dropping the criminal case against him,” noted the source.
It is worth noting that in recent years, Kazhegeldin has not shown open opposition to the authorities, supporting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's course in 2019 and 2022. However, the politician himself does not plan to make a request for his return.
“I do not intend to ask anyone for anything, as I do not recognize the decisions of the Kazakh court,” he stated in a recent interview.
Kazhegeldin also mentioned that he secretly visited Kazakhstan in 2007 for his father's funeral, emphasizing the lack of border control.
Recall that only the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan can acquit him, which sentenced him in absentia to 10 years in prison in 2001.
Kozhamzharov — a bargaining chip
It has been confirmed that former Attorney General Kairat Kozhamzharov has obtained Russian citizenship, making his extradition from Russia a complex task. As reported by the authors of the DALA INSIDE channel, Russia may extradite Kozhamzharov to Kazakhstan under certain conditions.
According to the source, Astana needs to either support Russia on a major geopolitical issue or fulfill one of its demands. Pre-trial investigations must be completed before it becomes clear whether Kozhamzharov meets Russia's requests.
The Special Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan is investigating a criminal case against Kozhamzharov on suspicion of abuse of power and money laundering. Members of his entourage, including former head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau Talgat Tatubaev, have previously been detained.
With the emergence of new evidence, Kozhamzharov's case may gain new momentum, and he may agree to cooperate with the investigation.
Kozhamzharov is a former Attorney General and senator who disappeared from the public eye in early 2023.
15 days for burning Xi's portrait
Twelve residents of the Uyghur district of Almaty region were arrested for 15 days for participating in an action to burn the Chinese flag and a portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping, reports Adyrna.kz.
About 30 people participated in the event, which took place last week, demanding the release of Kazakh citizen Alimnur Turganbay, who was detained in China.
“Alimnur has been in custody without reason for four months. We will continue our actions until he is released,” the protesters stated.
The police quickly detained the participants of the action, and the court imposed administrative penalties.
Alimnur Turganbay, a Kazakh citizen, was detained by Chinese authorities in 2024, and his family reported that he officially renounced Chinese citizenship.
Russia does not extradite former leaders of "Asia Auto"
Moscow has rejected Kazakhstan's request for the extradition of former leaders of "Asia Auto," Anatoly Balushkin and Erik Sagimbaev, who were convicted of fraud. As reported by Ertenmedia, the Russian side referred to the Minsk Convention of 2002, which gives it the right not to recognize the decisions of foreign courts.
As a result of the court proceedings, Balushkin and Sagimbaev were sentenced to 9 and 8.5 years in prison, respectively. The General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan continues to work on their extradition; however, both figures lost their Kazakh citizenship due to obtaining Russian passports.
Astana also sent a request to block the convicted individuals' assets in Russia, but this request was also rejected.
Kuliyev and "Shubarkol Premium"
JSC "Shubarkol Premium," previously owned by Timur Kulibayev, has begun to bring profits to its new owners, oligarchs Kenes Rakishev and Shukhrat Ibragimov, as reported by Nege.kz.
By the end of the third quarter of 2025, the company's net profit increased sevenfold compared to the same period last year.
Kulibayev and his partners sold their shares in "Shubarkol Premium" in 2024 when the company reported a loss. However, it is now expected that the net profit for 2025 will reach 10 billion tenge.
The amount of the deal remains unknown, but it is assumed that Rakishev and Ibragimov will be able to recover their investments by 2027-2028.
The company extracts D-grade coal and sells it in both domestic and foreign markets. The coal reserves at its deposits are estimated at approximately 530 million tons.
