Kazakhstan's Democratic Forces Forum

RPPK Vice Chairman detained at Almaty airport
His travel documents confiscated
Received via e-mail, 25 November 2000

Correspondents of RFE/RL report that today, November 25, at 3:00 AM (Almaty time) Vice Chairman of Republican People Party's Executive Committee - Amirzhan Qosanov was deprived of his travel documents at Almaty airport. Mr. Qosanov was planning to travel to London, Britain by British Airways company's plane.

After he had passed through customs and ticket registration offices, his passport was confiscated by Kazakh Border Guarding officer Captain Qayrat Safinov. Amirzhan Qosanov told correspondents of RFE/RL that all of his travel documents were OK. He said that he even had the OVIR's permission to leave the country (so-called exit visa). Captain Safinov did not give any sort of explanations when confiscating Mr. Qosanov's travel passport, and said that he as just implementing his commander's order. Republican People Party of Kazakhstan is led by the former Kazakh Premier Akezhan Kazhegeldin, who has been living in London, England for about two years.

Amirzhan Qosanov told correspondents of RFE/RL that Kazakh officials' decision was politically motivated and added that he would hold special press conference next Monday.

Received via e-mail, 25 November 2000