Kazakhstan's KNB investigates former Bek Air head Zhumasultanov

September 16, 2026 at 03:17 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan's National Security Committee is investigating Nurlan Zhumasultanov, linked to Bek Air, the airline whose Fokker-100 crashed near Almaty in December 2019. The Main Transport Prosecutor's Office confirmed the investigation, which it oversees. Journalist Mikhail Kozachkov reported that a court sanctioned Zhumasultanov's house arrest on September 9.

Key Facts

The Main Transport Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the central apparatus of the National Security Committee is investigating Nurlan Zhumasultanov.
Journalist Mikhail Kozachkov reported that a court sanctioned Zhumasultanov's house arrest on September 9.
Kozachkov stated that the criminal case is not related to the 2019 Bek Air crash near Almaty.
According to Kozachkov, a parallel investigation concerns the theft of Fokker-100 engines stored at Almaty airport, one of which was later identified on the crashed Bek Air aircraft.
In a 2019 interview days after the crash, Zhumasultanov, presented as Bek Air head, said he was ready to go to prison if someone from the airline had to be punished.

Investigation Confirmation

The Main Transport Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the central apparatus of the National Security Committee is investigating Nurlan Zhumasultanov. The prosecutor's office stated that other information is not subject to disclosure under Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Journalist Mikhail Kozachkov first reported the investigation and said a court sanctioned Zhumasultanov's house arrest on September 9.

Bek Air Crash Context

In December 2019, a Bek Air Fokker-100 crashed near Almaty, and days later Zhumasultanov, presented as the airline's head, said he was ready to go to prison if someone from the company had to be punished. During a 2025 trial, Zhumasultanov denied involvement with the carrier, saying he represented the owners of aircraft leased to Bek Air, including the Fokker that crashed. Kozachkov reported that the current criminal case is not related to the 2019 crash.

Engine Theft Investigation

Kozachkov said a parallel investigation concerned the theft of Fokker-100 engines stored at Almaty airport. After the crash, investigators identified by serial number that one of the stolen engines was installed on the crashed Bek Air aircraft. Kozachkov added that someone removed the engine from a mothballed aircraft and transferred it to the Bek Air plane.