ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- The former vice president of Kazakhstan’s KazAtomProm national nuclear company has been arrested in Canada.
The Kazakh National Security Committee announced on February 21 that Rustem Tursynbaev, 49, was arrested on February 10 for violating Canada's immigration laws.
Tursynbaev is wanted in Kazakhstan for allegedly creating and leading a criminal group, embezzlement, tax evasion, misappropriating the property of others, and money laundering.
Tursynbaev’s ex-boss, KazAtomProm’s former President Mukhtar Dzhakishev, was found guilty in March 2011 of corruption and sentenced to 14 years in jail.
A new criminal case was launched against him later last year.
Dzhakishev insists he is not guilty.
His supporters and relatives say both of the cases against him are politically motivated.