Kazakhstan Cracks Down on Financial Institutions with Strengthened Enforcement Actions
Combating Corruption and Money Laundering in Kazakhstan
In an effort to root out economic crime and promote transparency, investigation authorities in Kazakhstan are intensifying their efforts to combat corruption and money laundering. To support this initiative, the Council of Europe has launched a technical assistance program to enhance inter-institutional cooperation among national competent authorities.
Strengthened Enforcement Effort
The European Union is supporting this effort, which aims to address recommendations made by the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) in its 2022 evaluation report on Kazakhstan. The report urged the country to streamline and enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies combating corruption, particularly to ensure efficient financial investigations.
Training Program for Investigators and Prosecutors
As part of this effort, the Council of Europe organized a two-day training program on “Financial Investigations and Interagency Cooperation in Combating Corruption and Money Laundering” in Astana, Kazakhstan. Thirty-five investigators and prosecutors from various government agencies participated in the event, including:
- Anti-Corruption Agency
- General Prosecutor’s Office
- Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies
- Financial Monitoring Agency
- National Security Committee
During the training, participants discussed existing challenges related to interagency cooperation, the importance of financial investigations, and possible solutions to improve information sharing between the Financial Monitoring Agency and law enforcement authorities. The program also highlighted good practices in:
- Financial investigation planning
- Data collection and analysis processes
- Practical exercises on latest investigation tools and measures
Central Asia Rule of Law Programme 2020-2023
The training was part of the Central Asia Rule of Law Programme 2020-2023, a joint initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. The program aims to strengthen capacities to fight and prevent economic crime in five Central Asian countries:
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
Commitment to Transparency and Rule of Law
With this strengthened enforcement effort, Kazakhstan is taking a significant step towards combating corruption and money laundering, and demonstrating its commitment to promoting transparency and the rule of law.