Accessibility links

Breaking News

Businessman Warned U.S. About Kazakh Corruption


The U.S. Federal Courthouse in New York City (file photo) (RFE/RL) New York, 1 December (RFE/RL) -- Court records indicate that an American businessman warned U.S. intelligence agencies about corruption in Kazakhstan's oil sector as far back as 1996.


The information is enclosed in documents from a federal court in New York where the businessman, James Giffen, is currently standing trial in the so-called "Kazakhgate" bribery case.


The documents indicate that according to a U.S. intelligence summary dated June 1996, Giffen's reports were well received within the U.S. administration.


However prosecutors argue Giffen was considered a "problematic" and "unreliable" source for the government.


Giffen is accused of siphoning millions of dollars in kickbacks to top Kazakh officials in exchange for lucrative oil and gas concessions in Kazakhstan.


The beginning of the trial has been postponed numerous times and the latest date is set for April 2006.

Central Asia In Focus

Central Asia In Focus

THE COMPLETE STORY: Click on the icon to view a dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG