Press release. Press conference: Arrest of Akezhan Kazhegeldin: Political Consequences for the Ruling Regime

Arrest of Akezhan Kazhegeldin have created a new precedent in Kazakhstan legal practice. The Russian part acted as an arbitrator and supported Akezhan Kazhegeldin de jure and de facto. Actually, Russian Prosecutor General Office passed its verdict – Kazhegeldin is “clean” and not subject to extradition. The Kazakhstani part's arguments were not convincing enough. Not only the subject used by NSC applying to Russian Headquarters of Interpol, but the fabrication of opposition leader case itself are both evident.

Kazhegeldin paid taxes; Kazhegeldin’s family does not own real estate in Belgium.

Motives for this campaign of persecution are also evident. The orientation used for Kazhegeldin’s detention planned to keep him detained up to October 10, 1999 – the date of elections in RK Parliament lower chamber. “Kazhegeldin case” is politically motivated. Why didn't the authorities bring it in 1996? It was brought just when Kazhegeldin became Nazarbaev’s challenger and announced his presidential ambitions. What didn't allow the USA, UK, France or Switzerland authorities to detain Kazhegeldin via Interpol and extradite him to Astana within 3 days avoiding international scandal if there is a serious ground for detention? The answer is that there was no reason for detention. The campaign of Mr. Kazhegeldin detention in Moscow completely failed.

Authorities bluff. The regime is scared of the RNPK leader presence in the country, even as accused. It is not known for sure in which role is Kazhegeldin more dangerous for the President: if he is free or if he is in the court. The task of Kazakhstani law enforcement agencies was the primitive blackmail of Akezhan Kazhegeldin. They planned to detain him, break him psychologically, convince him that he does not have a choice and make him to lay his arms down. Intelligence services “worked” with Vitaly Voronov the same way. The same technology was used against Akezhan Kazhegeldin. What is the result?

The “Saddam” regime in Kazakhstan got another big international scandal and strong tension in the country.

Akezhan Kazhegeldin got strong heart attack, the image of the serious fighter against Kazakhstan feudal authoritarianism, raised RNPK and his own rating. The majority of research centers came to the conclusion that Akezhan Kazhegeldin is on the top of Kazakhstani political leaders popularity ratings. Akezhan Kazhegeldin is the first.

What did RNPK get? The consolidated and clean from “peel of rogues” party structure. Republican Peoples Party of Kazakhstan formed itself as opposition political party. Today it is a real political force opposing the regime of personal power.

What did Kazakhstan people get? Real choice opportunity: with which president would they prefer to enter the Third Millenium.

Zheltoksan 12, office 517. RNPK Executive Committee. RNPK Election Campaign Headquarters.