Kazakhstan's Democratic Forces Forum |
Verdict in Astana Supreme Court of Kazakhstan pronounced verdict according to which Akezhan Kazhegeldin, leader of Kazakh democratic opposition, Chairman of the Republican People's Party, former Kazakh Prime Minister was found guilty in absentia on all counts, including tax evasion, power misuse, and even illegal weapons possession. Judge Bektas Beknazarov of the Supreme Court who tried the opposition politician single-handedly as a first instance said that the verdict came into effect the moment it was delivered in public. Thus, even a theoretical possibility of appeal or cassation is ruled out. Akezhan Kazhegeldin is sentenced to 10 years in prison in general colony with confiscation of his property, including his apartment in Almaty and shares of the Semey corporation he had founded before he became member of the government. The Court sentenced the former Prime Minister to pay compensation for the hurt allegedly caused to the state by his activities. The Court estimated the hurt at 1 billion 677 thousand tenges ($1 currently equals 147 tenges). Since Akezhan Kazhegeldin is currently living abroad, and his property in Kazakhstan has long been seized, the only real punishment for the former Prime Minister appears to be the annulling of his 'Parasat' order. Kazhegeldin was awarded with this order by President Nazarbayev after he resigned as Prime Minister in 1997. 'The verdict rendered in Astana in my trial confirms that the trial is politically motivated. President Nazarbayev and his family members are unable to fight down the opposition that stands for drastic changes in the country. That's why they have chosen me as a key figure, and are trying to convict for fictitious criminal offenses,' Akezhan Kazhegeldin told reporters of the Moscow-based television company TV-6 when commenting his trial in Astana. Akezhan Kazhegeldin's statement to the TV-6 company further reads: '…This trial represents a confrontation between the democratic opposition and the President Nazarbayev “Big Family”. The investigation has been carried out by the National Security Committee, which his son-in-law heads. The trial is being held by the Supreme Court, where his nephew is presiding. The event is being covered by the press, which belongs to President's elder daughter and sons-in-law. President needs this trial in absentia to launch a property redistribution campaign for the benefit of his family members. All those who came into business in the years I led the government, including the foreign investors, are facing now the threat of expropriation or banishment. However, historically the Nazarbayev family has got no chances. Indonesia, Yugoslavia, and Peru show that family and clannish dictatorships can not rule forever. The cycle of their political life is shrinking. Family circle can not replace market economy and free competition. I told President Nazarbayev this when I was Prime Minister. However, he does not understand the logic of history. Similarly, it's ridiculous to hope that the verdict of such a court could complicate my life and political activities in exile. The democratic countries of the planet, and I hope Russia among them, will not recognize this trial. I am going to fight for the restoration of democracy in Kazakhstan by way of my activity as a publicist, by meeting with politicians and businessmen, and by speaking at international forums.'
Astana, 6 September 2001
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