Kazakhstan, Astana, April 3 / Trend, D. Mukhtarov /
The total amount of savings of Kazakh citizens and companies in Cypriot banks, according to the media, may exceed one billion euros, MP Azat Peruashev said at a plenary session of the Majilis (lower chamber of parliament) of Kazakhstan, addressing a request to the country's Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov.
According to him, now there is a real threat of a violation of the property rights of citizens, and perhaps infringement of the national economic interests of Kazakhstan.
As previously reported, Cypriot authorities made the unprecedented decision under anti-crisis measures to confiscate 80 percent of large deposits in local banks.
According to the deputy, the decision is not based on any judicial or other legal decisions and directly aims at covering the deficit of the country's state budget at the expense of investors from other countries who have entrusted their savings to the Cypriot banks.
Peruashev said it is not yet known whose money it is and how fairly it was earned.
"It is quite possible that part of these funds is of corrupt origins. But even then, the money should be returned to Kazakhstan, as they mean hundreds of unbuilt schools, hospitals, kindergartens and thousands of kilometers of unbuilt roads," Peruashev said.
According to him, if these are honestly earned funds, 'all the more so, our state should protect its citizens and not leave them subject to open robbery by another state.'
"In addition, it is possible that Kazakh enterprises and national companies are amongst holders of accounts in the Cypriot banks. Therefore, one can not exclude the possibility of illegal confiscation of not only the private savings of Kazakh citizens, but also the funds of enterprises belonging to our state," Peruashev said.
According to the MP, the government and the Foreign Ministry should not only clarify the situation and identify Kazakhstan's position in what is happening, but also make a stand for the Kazakh business.
"We need to use the situation to return the money earned in corrupt way to the country, given that the amount of Kazakh assets to be confiscated in favor of Cyprus may amount to 160 billion tenge ($ 1 - 150, 8 KZT)," Peruashev said.