ASTANA – Former Almaty Akim (mayor) Viktor Khrapunov and his wife Leila Khrapunova were convicted in absentia for misappropriation and embezzlement of entrusted property, fraud, money laundering and abuse of office, taking bribes and creating and leading a criminal group Oct. 8 by the Almaty Specialised Inter-District Criminal Court, reported Tengrinews.kz. The financial damage to the state exceeded $250 million.
Photo credit: today.kz.
Khrapunov was sentenced to 17 years in prison to be served in a maximum security institution, his property confiscated and he is deprived of the right to hold future public service posts.
Khrapunova was sentenced to 14 years in prison, her property confiscated and she is deprived of the right to hold future public service posts.
A relative, Ayar Ilyasov, was sentenced to five years in prison in absentia on similar charges.
In addition to the Khrapunovs, the defendants in the case were Kuandyk Biksultanov, Gabiden Kaiymsultanov, Abylaykhan Karymsakov, Altai Kassymov, Abdul-Gaziz Mukashev, Ainakul Sadykbayeva, Abai Saparov, Serik Yesmukanov and Yakov Zayats.
The Khrapunovs currently live in Switzerland where they fled several years ago.
