Republican People's Party to monitor trial of Mukhtar Ablyazov

On June 21, Executive Committee of the Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan (RPPK) has established a coordination group to support Mukhtar Ablyazov, a Democratic Choice movement leader, in the forthcoming trial.

The group has been created on the initiative of RPPK leader Akezhan Kazhegeldin. In his letter to his associates, he wrote: "Our aim is to stop the trial as politically motivated, as a President Nazarbayev's vengeance for Mr. Ablyazov's joining the opposition. No discussion is possible as to Mr. Ablyazov's actual guilt of the charges brought against him. Only an independent court in a free country can answer this question. There is no such court in Kazakhstan, and there will never be one unless democracy has the upper hand in this country."

The coordination group is going to monitor the trial in Astana. The materials will be sent to all the RPPK regional offices, Moscow, U.S., and Western Europe.

The group plans to publish special newspaper issues and hold public political events. The group comprises members of the RPPK's executive committee members, RPPK regional leaders and activists.

Press Service, Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan, June 21, 2002