The mayor of Janaozen (Mangistau Region of Kazakhstan) Orak Sarbopeyev was detained by financial police officers, Interfax reports.
The city mayor returned from vacation and received a court summons.
Janaozen experienced mass disorder on December 16, resulting in 16 people killed and over 100 injured. Dozens of buildings and cars were burnt. Kazakh President Nursultant Nazarbayev imposed a state of emergency the next day. The state will last until January 31.
Kazakh Prosecutor General Askhat Daulbayev announced investigation results in late January. He said that Janaozen Mayors Jaglas Babakhanov (incumbent in 1999-2009) and Orak Sarbopeyev were involved in money thefts from the Janashyr and Jarylkau Funds.
The funds accumulated sponsor aid from KazMunayGaz, provided for social support of the city’s population.
Jaglas Babakhanov has already been arrested.
