Former Atyrau Police Chief Baktybek Isayev Transferred to Pretrial Detention

Baktybek Isayev, the former head of the Atyrau city police department, has been placed in a pretrial detention center. He was previously held in a temporary detention facility.

A criminal case has been initiated against Isayev, and he has been dismissed from the internal affairs bodies on negative grounds. The investigation is reportedly examining facts of abuse of official power, though the final legal qualification of his actions has not been officially disclosed.

According to available information, the probe is connected to narcotic substances that were held as material evidence in criminal cases. Preliminary data suggests that approximately 17 individuals may be involved in the case, including police officers from various units responsible for handling criminal cases and evidence.

Among other figures named in connection with the investigation are Alisher Nurshayev, head of the regional department for combating drug-related crime, and Salamat Kaliyev, head of the internal security department of the police directorate. The procedural statuses and specific circumstances concerning other potential participants have not been officially made public.

Baktybek Isayev was born in Atyrau and is a graduate of the Central Asian University. He began his career in law enforcement in 2003. He was appointed head of the Atyrau police department in May 2024. Prior to that, he held several senior positions, including serving as deputy head of the Mangystau region police department.