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Azamat Kapenov, the former son-in-law of Karim Massimov, the ex-chairman of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee, has broken his long silence with a public statement. Kapenov, who is reportedly in Kyrgyzstan and is currently wanted internationally by Kazakhstan, has used social media to deny the allegations leveled against him.

In a video posted on Instagram, Kapenov directly addressed claims that he had stolen money from Kazakhstan. He asserted that these accusations are untrue and explained that his parents' company, "Eurotransgroup," is developing one of Central Asia's largest logistics ports at the Dostyk station.

Logistics Port Development

"Dear Kazakhstanis, I want to appeal to you. I have heard claims that I stole money in Kazakhstan and am hiding in Kyrgyzstan. This is not true," Kapenov stated in the video.

He further elaborated that the 51 hectares of land for the project were acquired from private individuals through Krisha.kz, and the construction is financed by bank loans. Kapenov noted that the project commenced in June 2022, a period when Karim Massimov was already in custody. The first phase was completed in February 2023, and the facility has since been generating over $1 million in monthly revenue.

This statement appears to be an effort by Kapenov to demonstrate that his business ventures are developing independently, rather than relying on any influence from Massimov.

Strategic Importance of Dostyk Port

The Dostyk station is a critical logistics gateway for Kazakhstan, situated on its border with China. With growing interest in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the strategic significance of terminals and freight infrastructure in this region has increased. Experts believe such facilities have the potential to generate billions in revenue in the future.

Allegations of "Raiding"

A notable point in Kapenov's video was his mention of "raiding," specifically referencing issues surrounding Bereke Bank. He claimed that his complaints were "thrown in the trash." While Kapenov did not explicitly name the individuals involved, his statement suggests the possibility of further controversial information or new compromising details emerging. Bereke Bank was later sold to the Turkish Lesha Bank, indicating that Kapenov's claims might extend beyond domestic business disputes to involve international financial structures.

"I will tell you about raiding and how complaints related to raiding were ignored. There is much more to come," Kapenov added.

Why Kazakhstan is Searching for Kapenov

Kazakhstan's Agency for Financial Monitoring has placed Azamat Kapenov on an international wanted list, and a court has issued an arrest warrant in absentia. According to the investigation, the former vice-president of "KazTemirTrans" allegedly used his official position to grant illegal advantages to companies associated with him. The estimated damage to the state exceeds 5.2 billion tenge. A court has also ruled to return the terminal related to Kapenov at the Dostyk station to state ownership.

UAE Released Kapenov

In 2025, Kapenov was detained in the United Arab Emirates but was released after a month. The UAE did not comply with Kazakhstan's extradition request, reportedly because the Kazakh side failed to provide sufficient documentation to substantiate the charges.

Impact of the Statement

While Azamat Kapenov's statement may not immediately alter the legal proceedings, it represents a significant step from an informational standpoint. Firstly, he has positioned himself not as a fugitive but as an entrepreneur defending his business. Secondly, his remarks on raiding hint at a complex conflict with political and economic undertones. Thirdly, his intervention ensures that the disputes surrounding strategic infrastructure at Dostyk will likely remain in the public eye.