Kazakhstan: Ex-Health Minister Convicted of Corruption

Опубликовано: 08 Август 2011

Former Health Minister of Kazakhstan Zhaqsylyq Dosqaliev was sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption after a three month trial on Friday.

While serving as the dean of the Astana Medical institution, Dosqaliev was found guilty of taking a bribe of nine apartments from a construction company in exchange for a contract to build residential buildings at the school.

Judge Meiram Zhanguttinov, presiding over the case, ruled that Dosqaliev is required to pay the Kazakh government $631,848 in fines “to compensate for the damage resulting from his illegal actions," according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

Additionally, three of the apartments Dosqaliev owns will be seized by the state.  Other apartments were sold and Dosqaliev is still awaiting trial for embezzlement and the illegal sale of real estate.

Dosqaliev was first questioned by police in September of 2010, but then was diagnosed by doctors as having a stroke.  Police say they suspect he faked health problems and spent several days in the hospital.

RFE/RL reports that doctors who diagnosed Dosqaliev were eventually charged with "using their professional position to obstruct the course of justice."

President Nursultan Nazarbaev dismissed Dosqaliev as Health Minister shortly after.