A court in Astana late on June 20 sentenced former Kazakh Culture Minister Arystanbek Mukhamediuly to eight years in prison on embezzlement charges. The court deprived Mukhamediuly of all awards received by the state and banned him from occupying state posts for life. Mukhamediuly was arrested in May 2022 amid President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev's campaign to remove his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbaev, and his associates from the political scene following unprecedented anti-government protests that were brutally dispersed by security forces. Mukhamediuly pleaded partially guilty to the charges. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Former Kazakh Culture Minister Handed Eight-Year Prison Term On Embezzlement Charges
Arystanbek Mukhamediuly is seen in court on June 20.