Accessibility links

Breaking News

Kazakh Opposition Remembers Slain Presidential Critic


Sarsenbaev was abducted and killed one year ago (RFE/RL) ALMATY, February 10, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Kazakh opposition leaders demanded a new probe into the killing of a prominent presidential critic one year ago, as up to 2,000 supporters rallied in his memory today in Almaty.


Altynbek Sarsenbaev, his driver, and a bodyguard were abducted in Almaty and their bullet-riddled bodies were later found dumped in the mountains.

A senior parliamentary official was convicted for masterminding Sarsenbaev's killing, but opposition groups and relatives accuse authorities of shielding the real perpetrators.


Among those they name President Nursultan Nazarbaev's son-in-law Rakhat Aliev, who was recently appointed Kazakhstan's ambassador to Vienna.

Trial Demanded


Gulzhan Yergalieva, editor of the Kazakh newspaper "Svoboda Slova" reiterated those accusations during today's rally.

"One [of the suspects] has been sent as an ambassador to a foreign country," Yergalieva said. "Another [suspect] has been sent to another country. These people were named among the suspects. We are against such actions. We demand a fair and honest trial."

Sarsenbaev was seen as potentially the strongest opposition challenger to President Nazarbaev.


(AP)

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG