Former president’s nephew faces charges over January 2022 unrest 

A former deputy security chief, Samat Abish, has been charged with abuse of office over his alleged role in the January 2022 riots, the Kazakh chief prosecutor’s office said on Monday. 

The unrest is seen as a coup attempt by former president Nursultan Nazarbayev’s family and associates. There was strong speculation as soon as official investigations began that Abish, Nazarbayev’s nephew, was one of key figures behind it.  

There were reports at the time of Abish’s brief arrest, which were later denied. However, he was dismissed from his position. 

In September, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced it was investigating Abish on suspicion of abusing his office during the January 2022 events. Since the start of the probe, Abish has been subject to a written undertaking not to leave the country. 

On Monday the Prosecutor’s Office said it had completed the investigation and charged Abish with “abuse of office leading to grave consequences”. It said no further details could be given as the case involved state secrets. The case has been transferred to court. 

The offence is punishable by between five and ten years in jail. 

The official investigation into the January unrest named as the main organisers former security chief Karim Masimov and his three deputies. Last year, in a closed trial, all four were convicted on charges of treason and attempted power seizure. Masimov was given 18 years in prison, the other three from three to 16 years.  

Reacting to the verdicts at the time, independent MP Yermurat Bapi alleged that Masimov was jailed “in order to save Abish”.  

Abish’s brother, Kayrat Satybaldy was jailed for six years in September 2022 on charges of embezzlement. Satybaldy in the past served as the national security service’s head of personnel, before going into business.  

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