AFM investigators prove 2.5 billion tenge theft from Justice Ministry's forensic center
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Investigators from Kazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) have proven that over 2.5 billion tenge was embezzled from the Center for Forensic Examinations of the Ministry of Justice through inflated equipment supply contracts. The scheme involved an unnamed figure who manipulated ministry appointments to secure the tender for a supplier in exchange for kickbacks. The theft occurred despite President Tokayev's 2022 directive to identify new psychoactive substances, for which the equipment was urgently needed.
The Inflated Equipment Deal
In January 2023, the Center for Forensic Examinations submitted a budget request for 10.96 billion tenge for high-precision equipment needed to identify new synthetic drugs, following President Tokayev's 2022 directive. AFM investigators later determined this request was based on three fictitious commercial offers. Aigul Shintemirova, a supplier of Thermo Fisher equipment, was recruited by an organizer who promised to secure the tender for her companies in exchange for kickbacks of 15% in 2023 and 10% in 2024. However, the initial tender was awarded to competitors.
Appointments Manipulated to Secure Tender
Despite holding no official position in the Ministry of Justice, the organizer persuaded ministry leadership to replace the center's director and head of public procurement with individuals under his influence, according to AFM investigators. Following these appointments, Shintemirova's companies won the tender and supplied equipment at inflated prices. The scheme resulted in the embezzlement of over 2.5 billion tenge, approximately one-quarter of the total contract value. The organizer received illicit payments as agreed.
What's Next
AFM is continuing its investigation into the organizer and accomplices. It remains unclear whether the embezzled funds will be recovered or if further charges will be filed against Ministry of Justice officials who enabled the scheme.
1 source
AFM investigators prove 2.5 billion tenge theft from Justice Ministry's forensic center
