Dinara Kutmanova. Photo: kloop.kg
The Pervomaisky District Court in Bishkek has sentenced former Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision Dinara Kutmanova to eight years in prison on corruption charges, 24.kg reports, citing the court’s press service.
The former official was found guilty of committing an offense under Part 4 of Article 337 (Abuse of Office) of the Kyrgyz Republic’s Criminal Code. In addition to her prison sentence, she was banned from holding public office for three years.
Kutmanova’s son, Kemelbek Kutmanov, was also on trial. He received an eight-year sentence after being convicted under Item 1, Part 4 of Article 209 (Large-Scale Fraud). Additionally, the court prohibited him from engaging in business activities for three years.
Both defendants were also subjected to asset confiscation as an additional penalty.
Kutmanova’s arrest was first reported in July 2023. Investigators from the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) described her as the “ideological mastermind and main organizer” of corruption schemes within the ministry. Authorities accused her of illegally diverting state funds. According to the SCNS, in just one case related to government procurement of specialized workwear, her family embezzled more than 23 million som (approximately $263,000) through fraudulent transactions.
Kutmanova allegedly involved her close relatives in the schemes, including her son, who ran a business. In 2023, Kemelbek fled to Turkey but was later extradited with the cooperation of the two countries’ security services.
