Ex-chief of criminal police of South Kazakhstan region accused of links with Kazakh tycoon Tuleshov

AKIPRESS.COM - Former Head of the criminal police of South Kazakhstan region Kenjebek Ondasynov was handed a sentence for links with Tokhtar Tuleshov, the ex-owner of the Shymkent beer factory, who is accused of a coup attempt, vera.kz reports. The high-ranked police officer is accused of corruption. The court said that Ondasynov during his tenure as Chief of the criminal police abused power in the interest of a criminal group for his own sake. He used to free the law enforcement officers from their basic duty and ordered them to find those, who, according to Tuleshov, attempted his life.
The court found Ondasynov guilty and sentenced him to 1 year and 6 months in prison. In addition, he was deprived of right to work in civil service.
The court said the ex-policer should have served up to 7 years in prison for his actions but it softened the sentence taking into consideration his family circumstances.
Tuleshov was arrested in January 2016 for illicit possession and distribution of drugs and financing an organized crime group.
The investigation by the Committee for National Security revealed that the businessman had supported mass protests against land reform that took place in Kazakhstan in spring 2016 although he had been in detention at that time.
In April and May thousands of people in different cities across the country took to the streets against amendments to the Land Code that would allow foreigners to buy and lease farmland.
Nationwide riots were unprecedented for Kazakhstan, where public criticism of state policies isn't tolerated. Dozens of protesters were detained and faced trials.
Tuleshov was found guilty for financing the land protests in a bid to destabilize the situation in the country and seize power.