Kazakhstan reopens Rakhatgate case, charges ex-aide Askat Duisenov

September 4, 2026 at 02:39 PM1 min

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Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General's Office has reopened the high-profile Rakhatgate case, charging Askat Duisenov with organized crime, kidnapping, robbery, and document forgery. Duisenov was arrested in July 2025 and is accused of involvement in the 2007 abduction of two Nurbank executives. More than 15 billion tenge may have passed through his accounts.

Key Facts

Askat Duisenov was arrested in July 2025 and now faces charges of organized crime, kidnapping, robbery, and document forgery.
On January 18, 2007, Duisenov allegedly participated in the abduction of Nurbank executives Zholdas Timraliyev and Abdulhalim Sarsenbayev.
More than 15 billion tenge may have passed through Duisenov's accounts and been transferred abroad.
Duisenov is the brother of former chief transport prosecutor Maksat Duisenov, who is also under investigation for torture and falsification of criminal cases.

Case Reopened

Kazakhstan's interagency group under the Prosecutor General's Office has completed a pre-trial investigation into Askat Duisenov, a key figure in the Rakhatgate case. Duisenov worked as a personal bathhouse attendant for Rakhat Aliyev, the late former son-in-law of Nursultan Nazarbayev. In 2007, Duisenov avoided trial after authorities stated he had left the country for health reasons. He is now charged with participation in an organized criminal group, kidnapping, robbery, use of forged documents, and land fraud.

2007 Abduction

On January 18, 2007, Duisenov was part of Rakhat Aliyev's criminal group that abducted Nurbank top managers Zholdas Timraliyev and Abdulhalim Sarsenbayev. The victims were held and beaten in a bath and sports complex at Aliyev's residence. The kidnappers demanded shares in Nurbank and the Ken-Dala business center.

Family Ties

Askat Duisenov is the brother of Maksat Duisenov, former chief transport prosecutor and ally of ex-Finpol head Kairat Kozhamzharov. Maksat Duisenov and other former law enforcement officials are under investigation for torture and falsification of criminal cases.