Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 6 / Trend E. Kosolapova/
Switzerland's law enforcement bodies arrested assets of the former mayor of Kazakh city of Almaty Victor Khrapunov and his family, charged of organizing a criminal group, as well as a number of other serious crimes in Kazakhstan, Kazakh financial police reported on Tuesday.
This measure was implemented as a part of criminal investigation initiated in Switzerland following a request from Kazakhstan.
"Switzerland's competent authorities arrested Khrapunovs' assets until the legality of their origin is determined. Banking, financial and other documents were seized to use them while investigating and legally evaluating defendants' activity," financial police said.
Kazakhstan's financial police charges Khrapunov and his wife of embezzlement of budget funds, abuse of power, bribery and money laundering in an organized criminal group. Kazakh authorities announced international search for Victor Khrapunov and his wife Leila Khrapunova.
Moreover, Switzerland has launched criminal investigation against deputy head of Kazakh Atyrau region Bergey Ryskaliev and his brother, ex-member of the Kazakh Majilis (Parliament's lower chamber) Amanzhan Ryskaliev on suspicion of money laundering.
"The investigating body ascertained three accounts in Swiss banks belonging to Ryskaliyev brothers and their close relatives with significant amounts of money exceeding 100 million euros. The federal prosecutor office arrested these accounts," Kazakh financial police said.
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