Deputy Akim Pleads for Fine, Not Prison, in Final Court Statement

The trial of Zhaksylyk Omar, the deputy akim (governor) of East Kazakhstan region, continued at the Interdistrict Criminal Court in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The proceedings reached a critical stage as the defendant delivered his final statement to the court on April 3.

In his address, Omar once again requested that his punishment not involve imprisonment. He pleaded for the court to impose a financial penalty instead. "I have had enough time to think everything over," he stated. "It is even harder to realize that nothing can be returned. I do not want to be a burden on the state; I want to make my contribution. I will go into debt, but I will pay the fine. I hope for your understanding."

This plea stands in stark contrast to the position of the state prosecution. During closing arguments on March 31, prosecutors requested a six-year prison sentence for the official.

Zhaksylyk Omar faces charges of large-scale fraud and accepting a bribe on a large scale. Following his final statement, the judge announced a recess until the verdict is delivered.

The case became public in mid-February this year when reports of Omar's detention surfaced online. At that time, the regional administration stated it had no information about the incident, adding that the deputy akim had taken temporary leave due to health reasons.