Trial of ex-PM of Kazakhstan opens in Karaganda

The main corruption trial of the former Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Serik Akhmetov, has started today in Karaganda. The former akims of the Karaganda region, Baurzhan Abdishev and Meyram Smagulov, are also on trial along with 18 other people.

They are accused of abuse of power, embezzlement of budget funds and illegal involvement in entrepreneurial activities.

The preliminary hearings into the case of Akhmetov, who is accused of corruption, began on July 27 at the specialized inter-district criminal court of the Karaganda region.

The last position held by Serik Akhmetov was Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan from April to October 2014. From January to September 2012 Akhmetov served as First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. From November 2009 to January 2012 he served as Governor of the Karaganda region.