Viktor Hrapunov Statesman of Kazakhstan, akim of Almaty, akim of the East Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan Date of Birth: 24.11.1948 Country: Kazakhstan

1. Biography of Viktor Khrapunov
2. Early Life and Education
3. Career
4. Later Career and Controversy
5. Personal Life
6. Academic Achievements

Biography of Viktor Khrapunov

Viktor Vyacheslavovich Khrapunov was born on November 24, 1948 in Predgornoye Village, Glubokovsky District, East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakh SSR. He is a Kazakhstani politician and government official, known for his roles as the mayor of Almaty, the akim (governor) of the East Kazakhstan Region, and the minister of emergencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Early Life and Education

Khrapunov completed his education at Ust-Kamenogorsk Industrial Technical School, Alma-Ata Power Engineering Institute, and the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He holds a doctoral degree in economics.

Career

After graduating from the technical school, Khrapunov started his career as a duty fitter, repair fitter, shift supervisor, master, and senior engineer-technologist at the Alma-Ata Thermal Power Plant. He also served as the chief engineer of the Alma-Ata Heat Networks Enterprise, the chairman of the Lenin District Executive Committee, the second secretary of the Alma-Ata City Party Committee, the first deputy chairman of the Alma-Ata City Council - the chairman of the City Executive Committee, and the first deputy head of the Almaty City Administration. He later became the Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In June 1997, he was appointed as the mayor of Almaty.

Later Career and Controversy

From December 2004, Khrapunov served as the governor of the East Kazakhstan Region. However, he was temporarily relieved of his position in January to November 2007 to serve as the Minister of Emergencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He was subsequently removed from office after an investigation by a government commission into the illegal allocation of land in Almaty.

Personal Life

Khrapunov is married and has three children. According to information as of May 2008, he fled to Switzerland, reportedly obtaining citizenship in exchange for investments. He was unable to sell his registered movable and immovable property in Kazakhstan.

Academic Achievements

Khrapunov holds a doctoral degree in economics and his dissertation focused on "Regional Aspects of Market Reforms in Kazakhstan and the Development of the Electricity Market (Using the Example of Almaty City)" (1999). He has been honored as an honorary professor at Kazakh State University (2001) and is a corresponding member of the International Academy of Management (1998). He is also an academician of the International Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2003).