Nazarbayev’s inner circle has means to incite unrest, Kazakh MP claims
Individuals from former President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s inner circle, who retain significant financial resources, pose a potential threat to national stability, warned Yerlan Sairov, a member of the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament. He alleged that these «revanchists» could use illegally withdrawn funds to finance information attacks and destabilize the political system.
Allegations of a coup plot
Speaking at a recent parliamentary session, Sairov claimed that some individuals, while having lost political influence, still hold substantial economic capital.
«I even suspect that the $150 billion siphoned out of the country could return tomorrow to undermine our state system,» he said. «We must not forget that there are revanchists in this country waiting for their moment.»
When asked by a Kursiv.media reporter to clarify his remarks, Sairov confirmed he was referring to individuals closely tied to Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s first president.
He pointed to the shadow economy, which he said is valued at $42 billion, a figure that has remained unchanged in absolute terms for the past three years. Sairov also cited reports that $15 billion has been moved abroad through cryptocurrency, while foreign sources estimate that $150 billion has been illegally transferred out of Kazakhstan over the past several decades.
«Government agencies don’t possess this information,» he said. «This indicates we haven’t conducted a proper audit. We need a comprehensive audit covering the past 30 years.»
Weak oversight and information warfare
MP Sairov criticized Kazakhstan’s state institutions for their lack of digital competency, particularly in tracking crypto-based capital flight.
«Today we’re talking about $15 billion in cryptocurrency leaving the country,» he said. «I don’t understand the position of government officials and the National Bank. We quietly accept that this is the business of private individuals, even though we don’t have the full picture.»
He also warned of coordinated information attacks aimed at destabilizing the country during national crises, such as floods and major political events.
«These efforts to destabilize public sentiment require funding, and they have it,» Sairov said, adding that such activities are financed by illegally withdrawn funds.
The lawmaker argued that repatriated funds could significantly bolster the national budget.
«We scrape together pennies for the state budget, while $42 billion sits in the shadow economy,» he said. «This is where we should be looking to replenish our national wealth. Why aren’t we addressing these issues? That money belongs to the people of Kazakhstan.»
In closing, Sairov called on authorities to intensify efforts to trace and recover offshore assets.
