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Former Kazakh Customs Chief Arrested On Corruption Charges


Former Kazakh interior minister and customs chief Serik Baimaganbetov
Former Kazakh interior minister and customs chief Serik Baimaganbetov
Former Kazakh state customs head Serik Baimaganbetov has been arrested on charges of abuse of office and large-scale bribery.

His detention was announced on February 6 in a statement issued by Kazakhstan's financial police.

Baimanganbetov served as head of the Customs Control Committee from May 2011 until his dismissal on February 2.

He previously served as Kazakhstan's foreign minister and as head of the presidential administration's law enforcement division.

Separately, the Interfax news agency has reported that Orak Sarbopeyev, mayor of the western city of Zhanaozen, has been detained on suspicion of embezzling state funds.

Zhanaozen was recently the scene of labor unrest in which at least 16 people died in clashes with police.

Former Zhanaozen Mayor Zhalgas Babakhanov was detained on similar charges earlier this month.

compiled from agency reports

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