Asset Recovery Strategies in Kazakhstan Face Challenges, Cooperation Needed from EU Countries
Kazakhstan is taking steps to recover illegally acquired assets, including those held abroad. However, the process is complicated and requires cooperation from European Union countries.
Background
Over the past 30 years, people with political influence have amassed wealth at the expense of Kazakhstan’s resources. This includes family members of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev and high-ranking politicians from his entourage. According to Snezhanna Imasheva, Chairman of the Committee on Legislation and Judicial and Legal Reform of the Majilis (lower chamber) of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, some individuals acquired their wealth legally but in an unfair way due to their connections and positions of power.
Challenges
The Kazakh government is introducing a new law regulating the procedure for recovering illegally acquired assets. The law aims to provide a legal framework for individuals to voluntarily return their wealth, avoiding court proceedings. However, returning assets from abroad is a more complex process that requires cooperation with foreign countries.
International Cooperation
Establishing legal cooperation in criminal cases has taken a long time and not all EU countries have agreed to cooperate. Elvira Azimova, Chair of Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Court, mentioned that Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic have concluded agreements with Kazakhstan, but Western European countries like France have not.
Success Stories
Kazakhstan has reported recovering assets from Liechtenstein, Austria, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates. The country’s Inter-Agency Asset Recovery Commission is working to recover assets worth tens of millions of dollars held abroad by individuals convicted of embezzlement.
Future Outlook
The success of Kazakhstan’s asset recovery efforts will depend on cooperation from foreign countries and the willingness of individuals to return their illegally acquired wealth.
Key Points
- Kazakhstan has introduced a new law regulating the procedure for recovering illegally acquired assets.
- Returning assets from abroad requires cooperation with foreign countries.
- Not all EU countries have agreed to cooperate, with Western European countries like France being notable exceptions.
- Kazakhstan has reported recovering assets from various countries and is working to recover more.
- Cooperation from foreign countries and willingness of individuals to return their wealth are crucial for the success of asset recovery efforts.