AKIPRESS.COM - The Financial Monitoring Agency has announced the completion of a pre-trial investigation into the leadership of the Ust-Kamenogorsk Airport. The individuals involved are currently in custody and face charges of abuse of power, embezzlement of entrusted property on a particularly large scale, and money laundering, informburo.kz reported.

"The former president and other officials systematically embezzled funds by inflating salaries, paying fictitious bonuses, and signing fictitious contracts for five years. The stolen amounts were cashed out through the company's treasury," the Agency stated.

The investigation also found that the suspects sold company vehicles to affiliated individuals at undervalued prices.

"Furthermore, commercial real estate at the airport was leased out under preferential terms – at reduced rates and with a decrease in the leased area. The total damage to the state amounted to 157 million tenge," the report noted.

Authorities have seized four apartments, a land plot, and two vehicles belonging to the individuals, with a total estimated value of 126 million tenge.

It was previously reported in June that an antitrust investigation was also being conducted against the Ust-Kamenogorsk Airport.