“Taking into consideration that Akhmetov has fully reimbursed damages…, it is considered that he serves eight years in prison with the confiscation of assets without the right to hold public office for five years,” Court of Appeals spokesman Rashid Nurmagambetov said.
Akhmetov was sentenced on December 11 to 10 years for mismanagement of assets, illegal business activities, and abuse of office.
He served as prime minister from September 2012 to April 2014 before being appointed defense minister. In 2009-2012, Akhmetov served as mayor of the Karaganda region.
A total of 21 former Karaganda regional and municipal officials have stood trial for corruption and abuse of authority.
Akhmetov reportedly reimbursed the state in the amount of $6.4 million because, according to his lawyer, the former official believed he had "overlooked" the damages caused by others to the state.
