Kazakh president's grandnephew hands sports university to state after OCCRP report

· Investigations · Kazakhstan

The Kazakh National University of Sports was suddenly handed over to the state following a joint investigation by Radio Azattyq and OCCRP. The investigation showed how President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's grandnephew founded educational ventures that received significant state backing. The handover came shortly after the reporting was published. The items do not name the grandnephew or give the value of the transfer. The episode illustrates how investigative reporting on family-linked business interests can prompt sudden asset transfers in countries where the lines between public institutions and ruling-family ventures are thin.

Why it matters：It shows how cross-border investigative reporting can force accountability for family-linked public assets, a recurring pattern for reporters covering ruling elites.

Key points

  • The handover followed a joint Radio Azattyq and OCCRP investigation.
  • The report examined educational ventures founded by the president's grandnephew that received state backing.

Sources (original reporting)

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