Berik Salpek, ex-KazTransOil director, sentenced to 6 years 8 months in 6 billion tenge fraud
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A court in Atyrau sentenced former KazTransOil managing director Berik Salpek to six years and eight months in prison for fraud involving the renovation of a critical water canal, causing over 6 billion tenge in state losses. Four other defendants, including Salpek's former deputy and contractor staff, received sentences of five to six years on similar charges. All five were taken into custody in the courtroom, though the verdict has not yet come into legal force.
The Verdict
An Atyrau regional court found Berik Salpek, ex-managing director of KazTransOil, guilty of fraud and sentenced him to six years and eight months in prison. Four co-defendants — Askhat Kultumiyev, Arman Mazkenov, Aslan Ishanov — received six-year terms each, while Nurzhan Akhanov was given five years. All five were taken into custody directly from the courtroom. The court determined that Salpek used his official position to informally control a contractor organization and, together with his former deputy and others, manipulated project revisions to embezzle funds.
Canal Renovation Fraud
The fraud centered on the renovation of the strategic Astrakhan-Mangyshlak canal, which supplies fresh water to the Atyrau and Mangystau regions. KazTransOil financed the project, but investigators found that the defendants substituted cheaper pipes than those specified in the contract, while the project's total cost remained unchanged. The price difference, estimated at over 6 billion tenge (approximately $13 million), was siphoned off. The scheme involved the contractor's employees and a representative of the design oversight company.
Lengthy Investigation
The investigation, led by special prosecutors, began after discrepancies were detected in the canal project. Despite the scale of the alleged crime, the suspects were not detained pretrial, and the case only reached the court at the end of 2025. The delay drew public scrutiny, with questions raised about why the case languished for years. The eventual trial resulted in convictions for all defendants on charges of fraud.
What's Next
The judgment has not yet entered into legal force, and the convicted individuals may appeal. It is not yet clear how the state will recover the over 6 billion tenge in losses.
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Berik Salpek, ex-KazTransOil director, sentenced to 6 years 8 months in 6 billion tenge fraud
