“Hello, Mr Gadzhi Gadzhiev. Thank you for granting this in-depth interview to Opinion Internationale. This is the first time you have spoken so openly to the press. Your situation highlights the interference, manipulation and other Russian disinformation campaigns that can take many different forms. In this case, we are referring to Irina Petrushova and Natalia Sadykova, two journalists who are, however, internationally renowned. The former, a Russian, lives in London; the latter, a Kazakh, lives in Kyiv. Petrushova edits a weekly online magazine, Respublika, whilst Sadykova runs a YouTube channel, Base. Both denounce the corruption of Kazakh leaders and cover political and economic news from this strategic region of Central Asia. Yet one of their primary targets is you. The murder of Sadykova’s husband and business partner in the spring of 2024, on the streets of the Ukrainian capital, has unleashed a barrage of attacks against the Almaty-based leader. Some see you as the instigator of this crime, whilst others describe you as a model business leader, capitalising on the opening up of flourishing markets in China, Turkey and the former Soviet republics neighbouring your homeland. One thing is certain: the smear campaign of which you are the victim, Mr Gadzhi Gadzhiev, benefits Moscow, which has been concerned about a shift in Kazakh public opinion in favour of Ukraine since February 2022. By systematically denigrating your success, the two journalists are sowing discord in relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine, much to Moscow’s advantage!
— You filed a lawsuit against Natalia Sadykova on 22 April in Kyiv; the hearing was eventually postponed until June. Thank you for speaking to a journalist for the first time… To begin with, we’d like to get to know you better. Who are you?
My name is Gadzhi Gadzhiev Shapievich. I am a Kazakh entrepreneur with extensive experience in the business world and in public affairs. Throughout my career, I have been involved in various projects aimed at developing trade, infrastructure and international cooperation. In the 1990s, I moved to China and spent ten years there establishing trade relations with various countries. At that time, China’s economic growth was particularly dynamic. My activities covered a wide range of fields, from manufacturing to trade. During those years, I naturally gained a wealth of experience that proved invaluable for the rest of my career. I am also President of the Kazakh Weightlifting Federation and Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan – sporting passions I share with my children.— After completing your studies in Kazakhstan, then a Soviet republic, you held several senior management positions in Kazakh and Chinese companies.
Could you tell us about your professional career?
My studies focused on finance and transport infrastructure. Whilst Kazakhstan was still part of the Soviet Union, I began my professional career in the commercial sector. I concentrated on developing my practical skills and implementing effective processes for managing infrastructure and business projects, notably in China, Hong Kong and the former Soviet bloc republics. I have managed several Kazakh and Chinese companies across various sectors, including manufacturing, trade and logistics. These experiences have enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of the specificities of the business world under different jurisdictions and to establish fruitful financial partnerships for projects related to trade and economic cooperation, as well as the construction sector. In the early 2000s, demand in the construction sector was high. It was in this field that I began to develop my career. Furthermore, I have always been drawn to the construction of transport infrastructure, both rail and road. This sector is strategic for my country, situated at the crossroads of vast territories, requiring significant transport infrastructure. I had the opportunity to work with Chinese partners who possessed expertise in modern technologies revolutionising this sector, as well as with European manufacturers of certified structures and construction machinery. My contacts, based on geographical proximity, historical ties and shared commercial interests, have enabled me to succeed in various countries. »
You are the target of a smear campaign, which has escalated into harassment, led by two Kazakh journalists, Irina Petrushova and Natalia Sadykova. For the past ten years, the latter, who lives in Kyiv, has been accusing you of corruption and of governing the country without a mandate on her YouTube channel, Base. What is your response?
I refute these allegations, considering them to be unfounded and defamatory. Natalia Sadykova is damaging my reputation by spreading unconfirmed information devoid of evidence. These systematic and biased allegations concerning my involvement in corruption cases or alleged informal influence over government processes are baseless. I do not possess the authority attributed to me. These statements are manipulative and misleading. Unfortunately, these publications do not meet basic journalistic standards, notably fact-checking, balanced reporting and objectivity. For a long time, I tried to ignore them, hoping they were isolated incidents, but this has become a recurring pattern. We have never met. They have never sought to interview me to establish the truth. That is why I am filing a complaint against Natalia Sadykova. The trial took place on 22 April in Kyiv but has been adjourned until June. I intend to continue defending my honour, my dignity and my professional reputation exclusively within a legal framework accessible to every citizen, using the mechanisms provided for by law. I demand that she promptly remove from her YouTube channel all the defamatory videos that have been circulating for far too long. »
The murder of Aidos Sadykov, Natalia Sadykova’s husband, took place in Kyiv in June 2024. Certain individuals, including his wife, accuse you of being involved in this crime. How do you intend to respond?
Once again, I reject these accusations in the strongest possible terms. They are baseless, yet extremely serious and unfounded. They damage my reputation. I am deeply outraged that it is so easy and irresponsible, in today’s media landscape, to accuse someone of being involved in such a heinous crime. I have nothing to do with the tragedy that occurred in Kyiv. I consider attempts to link my name to this event to be unacceptable. Such accusations mislead the public and undermine the fundamental principles of the rule of law, according to which guilt must be established exclusively by law and on the basis of evidence. From London, through her biased, politically motivated outlet, Respublika, Irina Petrushova is spreading false information relayed by her colleague in Kyiv, Natalia Sadykova. This cannot go on any longer!
Irina Petrushova’s career has been marked by murky episodes: she was arrested twice in Moscow and released a few hours later. What do you make of these anomalies?
I believe it is important to refrain from disseminating unverified information and assessments, especially when serious accusations are involved. Such claims must be based exclusively on proven facts and official data. Regarding the points raised, I have no reliable information enabling me to draw conclusions as to their causes or to offer any assessment. Any interpretation lacking sufficient evidence can only contribute to the spread of false information and complicate the search for the truth. I believe that all matters relating to the activities of individuals must be examined by the competent authorities within the legal framework. It is important that conclusions are based on an objective investigation, and not on assumptions or rumours. For my part, I am committed to protecting my reputation in accordance with the law and I call on all parties to respect the principles of legality and accountability regarding the information disseminated.
What evidence do Natalia Sadykova and Irina Petrushova provide to support the accusations levelled against you? Have you ever met them?
First of all, I would like to make it clear that any public statement and any dissemination of information, particularly confidential information, must be based on proven facts. Accountability is a fundamental principle of journalism. Unfortunately, for several years now, the websites Base and Respublika have been publishing inaccurate information that damages my reputation. Yet, throughout this time, no one has sought to contact me, or those close to me, to obtain comments or clarification. This raises serious questions regarding the objectivity and integrity of the editors of these publications. These relentless attacks indicate that the instigators of this campaign are acting in bad faith. I am convinced that justice will be done, for the truth is on my side.
The lawsuit you will be bringing in Kyiv on 22 April against Natalia Sadykova, and remotely against Irina Ptrushova, aims to restore your honour. You are demanding the restoration of your dignity and professional reputation, as well as the removal of all false information disseminated by the publications Base and Respublika. Not financial compensation for moral damage, but a fair judgement. What are your arguments for winning the case?
No convincing or verifiable evidence has been presented to support the accusations levelled against me. They amount to nothing more than assumptions, interpretations and references to unconfirmed sources, which cannot constitute sufficient evidence. In my view, it is fundamental that any serious accusation be based on concrete facts, not conjecture. I am accused of attempting to bribe Aidos Sadykov with $5,000 to remove videos from the Base channel, and then of ordering his murder for $3 million. Why would I have done such a thing? I am not a murderer! I have never had any reason to act in this way.
I have never had the slightest contact with these journalists, let alone with Natalia Sadykova’s husband. The videos were uploaded to the Base channel and broadcast by the newspaper Respublika. The damage has been done by these lies spread across the globe. I demand their removal. Let justice be done and my honour be definitively restored!
Would you go so far as to claim that the Russian secret services are orchestrating this smear campaign? By manipulating two journalists to tarnish your honour, do you think the Russian secret services are seeking to damage relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine, especially since 2022 and the shift in Kazakh public opinion in favour of Ukraine?
Unfortunately, I am unable to provide you with concrete and precise information on this matter. Nevertheless, I have decided to take legal action to protect my professional reputation. These false claims distort the facts and seriously damage my reputation. Furthermore, they are being disseminated publicly with the clear intention of causing harm. My opponents have made no attempt to resolve the matter amicably. In these circumstances, taking legal action has proved to be the only way for me to obtain an objective assessment of the situation. I believe that, in today’s world, the media all too often become a tool of influence and that various forces can use them to serve their own interests. However, any definitive conclusion must be based not on assumptions, but on the results of an objective investigation. For my part, I prefer to protect my reputation by acting within the law.
You are listed on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets. This site lists profiles associated with activities hostile to Ukraine. How do you explain this treatment by the authorities in Kyiv?
Unfortunately, this website disseminates distorted and false information about me, without any facts or evidence. It is highly likely that this is part of a long-term disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting my reputation and that of my country, Kazakhstan. I do not know how this false information ended up on the site. I am convinced that such decisions cannot be made without rigorous verification of the data, based on subjective assessments or incomplete information. This inevitably leads to erroneous conclusions. As for the Kyiv authorities’ view of this site, to my knowledge, it has no official status with the state. However, decisions by government bodies are taken in accordance with the law and on the basis of verified information, and not solely on the basis of data from such platforms
Are you considering taking steps to have your name removed from the Myrotvorets website’s list?
To date, I have not taken any civil or administrative action to challenge or have my name removed from the Myrotvorets database. However, I understand the legal consequences and damage to my reputation that such a listing in this database entails, and I reserve the right to protect my interests in accordance with the law. If necessary, I may consider referring the matter to the competent authorities, including the courts, and utilising all legal remedies. »
Do you regard these repeated attacks against you as a malicious manoeuvre by your enemies, also targeting your country, Kazakhstan?
I have no credible information to definitively confirm the existence of a motive or any corruption justifying my inclusion on this list, or for all the vicious smear campaigns of which I am a victim. However, I believe that a possible explanation lies in a misinterpretation of the facts, as well as in the dissemination of inaccurate and defamatory information, particularly by certain journalists or media outlets. This information may have been used without prior verification, thereby helping to create a false image of me!
Were you present at the hearing of Natalia Sadykova’s trial in Kyiv on 22 April?
No, I had no intention of attending the trial against Natalia Sadykova in person. My interests were represented in court by a lawyer. I am calmly awaiting the outcome.
You are considered one of Kazakhstan’s wealthiest individuals. Some criticise your success. The same people accuse you of corruption, embezzlement of public funds and abuse in the awarding of public contracts. What is your response to them? All these accusations are pure speculation and without foundation. My prosperity is the result of many years of hard work in my business ventures. I have been involved in various commercial projects, establishing long-term partnerships with China, Turkey and Hong Kong. All of these have enabled me to develop my businesses. I have been able to identify promising markets, particularly the former Soviet republics. Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have also been veritable El Dorados where I have been able to prosper. I have built motorways, bridges, railways, ports and major infrastructure projects that are of great benefit to these emerging nations. I have also constructed numerous major projects in Kazakhstan. I owe all this solely to my hard work, always in the service of ambitious leaders. This account is significant and holds symbolic importance for the many Chinese initiatives undertaken throughout the 2000s. There is also the ambitious Silk Road project, in which I also participated, contributing my expertise and my extensive network of contacts in Central Asia. All these commercial operations continue to be conducted in accordance with the laws of the countries concerned, whilst complying with all necessary procedures and standards. I would like to make it clear that I have not secured a single public contract in the last ten years. This is therefore, once again, slander being peddled by Sadykova and Petrusheva without having done their research. All my activities are now conducted exclusively in the private sector. However, I know that success often breeds envy and jealousy!
Can you tell us about your business relations with China?
My business relations with China have developed throughout my professional career. They have mainly involved the implementation of infrastructure projects. I have collaborated on several occasions with Chinese partners on matters relating to construction, logistics, manufacturing, processing and other sectors, including sport. I am currently President of the Wushu Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. I therefore maintain close and long-standing relations with China. I would add that I speak Chinese, which in the business world is a highly valued asset appreciated by our counterparts.
What are your thoughts on relations between Kazakhstan and France, the first European Union country to recognise your country’s independence on 25 January 1992, and France’s main trading partner in Central Asia?
I am delighted with the relations between Kazakhstan and France, which are concrete, enduring and balanced. They are constructive and mutually beneficial. France is a key partner for Kazakhstan within the European Union. Cooperation between our two countries covers a wide range of areas, from the economy and energy investments – notably with Total – to culture and education. Kazakhstan is also a strategic partner of France, through Orano, for uranium supply, which gives bilateral relations particular importance in the context of energy security and long-term cooperation. For many years, Kazakhstan and France have maintained a constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect and a strategic partnership, thereby creating an environment conducive to the development of joint projects. Throughout my professional career, I have regularly maintained business relations with European partners such as Germany, the Netherlands and Serbia, including France, in the context of trade and investment initiatives. I remain convinced that the potential for cooperation between Kazakhstan and France remains significant and that its development is in the interests of both parties. As far as I am concerned, I will do everything in my power to ensure it develops as effectively as possible.”
Could you describe your activities over the last ten years?
For the past 10 years, my professional career has focused on the development and management of business projects, mainly in the construction, infrastructure and international cooperation sectors. I have also implemented several agricultural projects in Kazakhstan, in collaboration with foreign partners. I am also capitalising on the success of my construction businesses to invest in projects related to agriculture, processing, storage and freeze-drying of fruit, as well as poultry farming. My company, FruitArt, specialises in the cultivation, processing and export of fruit. We produce 500 tonnes of strawberries and purchase a further 1,000 tonnes for export. Our freeze-drying facility processes between 3,500 and 4,000 tonnes of fresh soft fruit each year. We export 7,000 tonnes of apples and also supply the local market, thanks to our cold stores which hold up to 16,000 tonnes of apples and 5,000 tonnes of frozen fruit. We have created 600 jobs for local residents, and this is just the beginning! We are also developing poultry farming units, with plans to build an industrial incubator for egg production. We have several other projects in the fields of processing and fertiliser production. Finally, we are of course involved in information technology, seeking to expand our business in the United Arab Emirates, but the conflict situation has delayed our investments in that region. I will never stop working for the good of my country and its citizens!
You instil Kazakh traditions and a love of sport in young people. It is said that you invest heavily in the development of Kazakh sport. Where does your passion for combat sports come from?
As I said, I have a long history with sport and I attach particular importance to the values it embodies: honesty, responsibility, respect for others, patience, hard work and the desire to constantly improve. Future generations must understand the importance of education, discipline and the ability to make decisions independently. All of this gives them confidence, because I believe that each of us is responsible for the country’s future and I strive to contribute to its development through my activities. Through my professional activities, my civic engagement and my support for social initiatives, I strive to instil the best in young people and to set an example for them. A striking example is the campaign we ran for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. My protégés and I decided to support isolated elderly people aged 80 and over. When the lockdown was announced, social services were unable to reach them or assist them. We therefore began preparing hot meals ourselves every day and delivering fresh produce to their homes, to over a thousand addresses in Almaty alone. Within two weeks, we had already set up this support scheme in numerous cities across Kazakhstan. We also provided meals to hospital doctors during this terrible period. This year, I have helped by supplying equipment and other essential resources during the setting up of temporary hospitals in the country’s major cities. My aim is to leave my children and future generations a more sustainable, prosperous and fair environment.
Why such a passion for combat sports?
Sport holds a special place in my life. It builds character, teaches discipline and patience, and instils patriotism, respect and a drive to succeed. Regarding sport, I would like to point out that my critics have commented on my increased involvement since 2022. However, long before that, from the early 2000s, I was already actively involved, first as a volunteer, then as an official. In 2009, I became Chairman of the Presidium of the Martial Arts Union of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For over 15 years, I have been leading and contributing to the development of various sports organisations. My interest in combat sports developed from a very young age, starting with freestyle wrestling, then Wushu Sanda, and finally mixed martial arts. These disciplines have always appealed to me, not only for the physical effort they demand, but also for the values they embody: discipline, respect, strength of character and the pursuit of excellence. Over time, this passion has evolved into a desire to support and develop sport at a systemic level within my country. This is why I am actively involved in the governing bodies of sports federations, helping to create an environment conducive to the development of athletes. I participate actively, at the highest level, in the work of international federations for martial arts and weightlifting in Kazakhstan. My commitment to the Olympic movement is sincere and long-standing. I am currently Vice-President of the Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, a role for which I am very grateful for the trust my country has placed in me.
Interview by Eric Bazin, journalist, and Michel Taube
