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Counsel

Nazerke Rizabekova
nazerke.rizabekova@tks.law
Profile

Nazerke advises on criminal law matters and compliance issues, including internal investigations and interactions with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

She specialises in the defence of businesses, senior management and employees in cases involving fraud, abuse of office and other economic crimes, with experience across all levels of the court system, including the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

She has experience advising on complex matters for major corporate clients, including procurement-related fraud investigations, cases involving misappropriation of crypto assets, as well as disputes involving financial instruments and bank guarantees.

Practice Areas
  • Criminal defence
  • Economic crimes
Education
  • Master’s degree, Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation
Languages
  • Kazakh
  • Russian
  • English
Selected Experience

Economic Crimes and Criminal Investigations

  • Represented Kazakhstan’s largest metallurgical company in criminal proceedings concerning procurement-related embezzlement amounting to approximately KZT 1.2 billion
  • Represented one of the largest cryptocurrency mining operators in criminal proceedings involving misappropriation of investments in the form of crypto assets amounting to USD 1.167 million
  • Represented a major international bank in an investigation into misappropriation of funds related to a bank guarantee issued in connection with an investment and construction project, amounting to KZT 7.8 billion
  • Represented one of Kazakhstan’s largest oil and gas construction companies in criminal proceedings involving large-scale embezzlement

Crisis Situations and Regulatory Engagement

  • Represented a major metallurgical and mining asset in Kazakhstan in crisis negotiations with state authorities following statements regarding termination of investment cooperation and a potential transfer of control over the asset
  • Advised the Kazakh subsidiary of an international electronics manufacturer in connection with an inquiry by the Agency for Financial Monitoring of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including preparation of responses and an internal review; the matter was resolved at the regulatory stage

Cross-Border Criminal Matters

  • Provided cross-border support in criminal proceedings in Turkey in the interests of a Kazakh national, including engagement and coordination of local counsel and development of procedural strategy

Compliance and Preventive Advisory

  • Advised an international oil and gas operator on risks associated with providing hospitality and gifts to public officials and quasi-governmental entities, including development of internal procedures and decision-making frameworks
  • Prepared an expert memorandum for an international law firm on the qualification of threats, extortion, coercion, raiding and abuse of authority under Kazakh law; the conclusions were used in shaping a cross-border dispute strategy and asset protection

Criminal Defence

  • Represented a chief accountant of an oil and gas company before the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan, resulting in an acquittal on charges of embezzlement

Enforcement of Sentences

  • Advised on matters relating to parole, including cases involving a Lieutenant General of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and civil activist Asiya Tulesova