Charged under Articles 189, 190, 361 or 366 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan

**Charged under Articles 189, 190, 361 or 366 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan?
 

What Every CEO, Investor, or Business Owner Must Do Immediately**

Author: Samat Serikovich Sagidanov

Criminal Defense Attorney in Kazakhstan

25+ years of criminal defense practice License No. 0000650 dated 26.04.2006
Experience in embezzlement, fraud, corruption and high-value economic crimes

📞 WhatsApp / Call: +7-702-847-80-20

📧 Email: garantplus.kz@mail.ru

Write to WhatsApp in ANY language — English, Chinese, Turkish, Russian, Arabic.
I will translate personally and respond to you in your language.

 
Why You Must Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately — Even If You Are Outside Kazakhstan
If you are being investigated or charged under criminal articles in Kazakhstan (fraud, embezzlement, abuse of office, bribery), time is working against you.

The first days of pre-trial investigation often determine the outcome of the entire case.

An experienced criminal defense attorney must immediately obtain access to the case materials and determine:

• What exactly you are accused of
• What evidence investigators already collected
• What investigative actions are planned
• Whether there is a risk of asset seizure, bank account freezing, arrest warrant or extradition

Important: investigators are not required to disclose all evidence.
In serious economic crime cases, key materials remain hidden until court.

Without an experienced defense lawyer, you may never know about:

• expert reports prepared against you
• hidden witness statements
• financial examinations
• covert surveillance materials

This is especially critical for:

• company directors and CEOs
• foreign investors and business owners
• startup founders and IT entrepreneurs
• bloggers managing investment projects
• shareholders and partners handling large transactions

 
If You Are Outside Kazakhstan — Risks Increase
If you are abroad, investigators may initiate:

• asset freezes
• bank account blocking
• search warrants
• international arrest requests
• notices through Interpol
• extradition proceedings

Only a lawyer working inside Kazakhstan can:

✔ file urgent motions

✔ challenge investigators’ actions

✔ protect your assets

✔ prevent international search notices

✔ negotiate with investigators and prosecutors

Early defense dramatically increases the chance of:

✔ case dismissal

✔ reclassification to a lighter article

✔ suspended sentence instead of prison

✔ settlement with restitution

✔ protection of business reputation

👉 If you received a summons, interrogation notice, search warrant, or heard about an investigation — do NOT give statements without a lawyer.

This can save your business, your freedom, and your reputation.

 
What If You Are Not in Kazakhstan or Cannot Sign a Contract in Person?
If you are summoned for questioning or investigated for fraud, embezzlement, corruption or economic crimes — your physical absence from Kazakhstan does NOT prevent immediate legal defense.

Important legal fact:

In criminal cases in Kazakhstan, a power of attorney is NOT required for a lawyer to defend you.
A legal services agreement is enough.

Even more important:

👉 The agreement may be signed not only by the suspect, but also by:

• a relative
• a business partner
• a shareholder
• a trusted representative

This allows us to start defense the same day, even if you are abroad.

 
Remote Contract — Fast and Legal
If you are outside Kazakhstan or in another city like Almaty or Astana, the contract can be completed remotely:

• exchange contract draft via email or WhatsApp
• sign and send scan/photo
• pay remotely
• lawyer immediately enters the case

Write to WhatsApp in English or any language.

I will translate personally and respond in your language.

 
Why Immediate Defense Is Critical
Until you have a lawyer, investigators may:

• question witnesses without your position
• seize property and freeze accounts
• declare you wanted internationally
• prepare charges without your participation

Early defense allows to:

✔ stop illegal investigative actions

✔ prepare defense strategy before charges

✔ protect business assets

✔ reduce arrest and extradition risk

✔ achieve reclassification or case dismissal

👉 If you learn about an investigation in Kazakhstan — do not wait to travel.

Do not speak without a lawyer.

Sign a remote contract immediately.

Every lost week may cost freedom, reputation, and millions of dollars.

What If a Kazakh Court Ordered Your Arrest in Absentia or You Were Put on an International Wanted List?
If an investigative judge in Kazakhstan ordered detention in absentia, it means investigators convinced both the prosecutor and the court that:

• there is enough evidence against you
• you may influence witnesses
• you may destroy documents
• you may evade investigation

This is already a critical stage of the criminal process.

Any delay dramatically increases the risk of:

• arrest at the airport
• extradition
• frozen assets
• real prison sentence

 
International Wanted List Through Interpol
If you are declared internationally wanted, materials are sent through the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan to the National Central Bureau of Interpol.

Then one of the following may be issued:

• Red Notice – request to locate and arrest
• Diffusion – international alert

This means you may be detained when:

• crossing a border
• applying for a visa
• opening bank accounts
• buying property
• passing airport control

Even years later.

Important: living abroad does NOT protect you.

International search may last for many years.

 
The Main Rule: Start Defense Before Arrest
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can:

✔ access case materials and find weak evidence

✔ urgently appeal arrest decisions

✔ collect accounting records, contracts, emails, audit reports

✔ prove lack of intent or absence of crime elements

✔ negotiate restitution and settlement

✔ prepare strategy for detention or extradition

✔ protect assets and company accounts

Early defense often changes the entire course of the case.

Practice shows: the earlier the lawyer enters the case, the higher the chance to stop prosecution.

👉 If you heard about an arrest warrant or wanted notice — contact a defense lawyer immediately.

Write on WhatsApp in any language — English, Turkish, Arabic, Chinese.
Translation will be provided personally.

 
How Many Lawyers Do You Need — One or a Team of Two-Three?
A lawyer is also human, like an investigator handling many cases or a judge hearing dozens of trials.

Defense effectiveness depends on:

• complexity of accusations
• amount of financial documents
• international elements
• size of alleged damages
• number of defendants

In complex economic crime cases in Kazakhstan, it is common to use a team of lawyers, especially under Articles 189, 190, 361, 366 of the Criminal Code.

But the key is not the number — it is specialization.

 
Example of Effective Team Structure
• Lawyer 1 – analyzes case materials, interrogates witnesses, checks evidence

• Lawyer 2 – collects financial documents, audits, expert opinions
• Lawyer 3 – files motions, appeals arrests, works with prosecutors and court

This prevents duplication and speeds up defense.

In large cases with international business, CEOs, investors, or public figures, 4-5 lawyers may be involved.

 
Why Multiple Experienced Lawyers Can Improve Your Case
Every additional qualified action may:

• increase chance of reclassification
• reduce charges
• cancel arrest warrant
• soften preventive measures

Even experienced lawyers may miss details that another specialist notices.

However, not every lawyer should be involved.

Choose lawyers who:

✔ have criminal defense licenses

✔ have real experience in corruption and economic crimes

✔ know investigation tactics in Kazakhstan

✔ handled large financial cases

Better fewer — but highly experienced.

A coordinated defense team can significantly reduce risks of:

• account freezing
• international search
• extradition
• asset confiscation
• criminal conviction

 
Why Lawyers Charge High Fees — And How Much Should You Pay?
Criminal defense in economic cases requires:

• financial experts
• forensic accountants
• translators
• auditors
• international legal coordination
• hundreds of hours of document analysis

A lawyer’s fee reflects responsibility, time, risk, and complexity.

But the most important document is your legal services agreement.

 
Example Clause You Must Understand
A contract may state:

“Legal defense is provided during pre-trial investigation until 31.12.2026.

If investigation continues after that date, further defense requires a new agreement and additional payment.”

This means:

1️⃣ Defense only during investigation, not in court

2️⃣ Contract has a deadline

3️⃣ Additional stages require new agreement

If you don’t understand this, disputes may arise later.

 
Two Main Reasons Clients Argue with Lawyers
1️⃣ Payment terms not discussed clearly

2️⃣ Unrealistic expectations of guaranteed results

No lawyer can promise 100% success.

A lawyer can only predict possible outcomes.

The lawyer works strictly within the contract scope.

 
How to Avoid Conflicts
Before signing a contract, ask clearly:

• Which stage is included?
• What is the price for court defense?
• What extra services cost more?
• What happens if investigation lasts longer?
• Who pays for experts and audits?

Clear terms protect both client and lawyer.

👉 If you or your company are investigated in Kazakhstan — do not delay.

📞 WhatsApp / Call: +7-702-847-80-20

📧 garantplus.kz@mail.ru

Write in English or any language — translation provided personally.

Why Company Directors Are Most Often Prosecuted in Kazakhstan
In criminal investigations in Kazakhstan, law-enforcement agencies frequently target:

• CEOs and founders
• Managing directors
• CFOs and accountants
• Startup owners
• Investors and bloggers
• Foreign entrepreneurs

The most common charges include Articles 189, 190, 361, 366 of the Criminal Code.

These apply to cases involving:

• government tenders
• startup investments
• IT outsourcing contracts
• crypto projects
• construction and real estate
• public procurement
• influencer or online education businesses

The key issue is this:

👉 Investigators often presume the director is responsible if money is missing or a contract failed.

Even if the business simply failed.

This is why experienced criminal defense is critical.

 
What You Must NOT Do in the First Hours
The biggest mistake is trying to “explain everything honestly” without a lawyer.

Criminal procedure is not a friendly conversation.

Every word becomes evidence.

Do NOT:

• give statements without a lawyer
• sign protocols you didn’t read carefully
• agree to informal talks
• hand over documents without copies
• admit guilt “to go home faster”
• discuss the case with employees

These mistakes are almost impossible to fix later.

 
When You Must Call a Lawyer Immediately
Call a criminal defense lawyer if:

• you received a summons
• investigators came for a search
• business accounts were frozen
• Anti-Corruption Service contacted you
• Financial Monitoring Agency contacted you
• investors filed complaints
• partners accused you of fraud

The first 24 hours often determine the case outcome.

Confidential consultation available.

Write on WhatsApp in any language — translation provided personally.

FAQ — Criminal Charges in Kazakhstan (SEO Optimized)
1. Can foreign investors be charged with fraud in Kazakhstan?
Yes. If investors claim deception, authorities may open a criminal case. Defense must prove business risk, not fraud.

2. What is the difference between a lawyer and legal consultant in criminal cases?
Only a licensed advocate in Kazakhstan can defend in criminal proceedings. Consultants cannot access case files or interrogations.

3. Can business failure be considered fraud?
No. Investigators must prove intent at the moment of transaction. Contracts, emails, and reports prove legitimate business activity.

4. Can my company accounts be frozen?
Yes. Asset freezing is common in economic crime investigations. Early legal action can challenge seizures.

5. What happens if Interpol issues a Red Notice?
You may be detained when crossing borders. Immediate legal defense is required.

6. Can charges be reduced or dismissed?
Yes. Many cases are reclassified after audit reports, expert reviews, or negotiations.

7. Should I repay money if accused of embezzlement?
Sometimes restitution reduces penalties, but decision must be made only after legal analysis.

8. Can I start defense while abroad?
Yes. A contract with a lawyer can be signed remotely. A relative or partner may sign it.

9. How long do economic crime cases last?
From several months to years. Early strategy often shortens investigation.

10. When should I contact a lawyer?
Immediately after summons, search, or suspicion. Delay increases risk of arrest, extradition, and asset loss.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Kazakhstan — For CEOs, Investors, Startups
Author: Samat Serikovich Sagidanov

25+ years criminal defense experience

License №0000650 (26.04.2006)

Defense in cases involving:

• international business
• CEOs and investors
• crypto and IT projects
• corruption and embezzlement
• Interpol and extradition
• remote representation

Real defense strategy — not just paperwork.

📞 WhatsApp / Call: +7-702-847-80-20

📧 garantplus.kz@mail.ru

Write in English or any language.

Translation will be provided personally.

Confidential consultation worldwide.