Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ALMATY2160
2006-06-20 01:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
US Office Almaty
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: POLICE, ALGA SUPPORTERS CLASH AT SUPREME
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 200149Z Jun 06
UNCLAS ALMATY 002160
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING)
SENSITIVE
SIPIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: POLICE, ALGA SUPPORTERS CLASH AT SUPREME
COURT HEARING
UNCLAS ALMATY 002160
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING)
SENSITIVE
SIPIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: POLICE, ALGA SUPPORTERS CLASH AT SUPREME
COURT HEARING
1. (SBU) Summary: On June 6, opposition Alga party supporters
were denied access to a Supreme Court hearing on the Ministry of
Justice's decision to deny that party's bid for official
registration. Failing to gain entry to the hearing, Alga
supporters began to set up a sound system on the steps of the
building. Police met with resistance to their attempt to seize
the sound system, and in response, beat and detained a number of
Alga supporters, among them party head Asylbek Kozhakhmetov. End
summary.
-------------- --------------
Supreme Court Holds Hearing, Sides Prepare for Action
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) On June 6 in Astana, the Supreme Court held what was
billed as an open hearing on the opposition Alga party's lawsuit
against the Ministry of Justice regarding its decision not to
register the party. This lawsuit had previously been dismissed
by lower-level courts.
3. (SBU) From the early morning, police cordoned off the central
square where the Supreme Court is located, only permitting very
limited access into the guarded area. A number of operators
(some in police and prosecutor's uniforms, others in civilian
clothing) were also placed throughout the area to videotape the
morning's events. Additionally, according to an Alga press
release, Astana police stopped three buses of Almaty-based Alga
supporters from entering the city. Despite these measures, large
numbers of Alga supporters came out in an attempt to gain access
to the square, some of whom had brought with them a loudspeaker
and sound system.
-------------- --------------
Tension Boils Over as Access to Open Hearing Denied
-------------- --------------
4. (SBU) Roughly 15 people, including Alga leader Asylbek
Kozhakhmetov, Communist party leader Serikbolsyn Abdildin, For a
Just Kazakhstan activist Amirzhan Kosanov, and Deputy Chairperson
of Ak Zhol Lyudmila Zhulanova, were able to move through the
police barrier and reached the Supreme Court building. However,
the group was denied entry to the hearing. Guards explained that
an Alga party representative was already inside the courtroom,
and that no more observers would be admitted. Kozhakhmetov took
exception to this explanation and demanded entry. The remainder
of the group also insisted that they be allowed to attend,
reminding the guards that this was to be an open hearing. After
some discussion, the guards agreed to check with the court staff.
5. (SBU) While Kozhakhmetov's party was waiting for its answer,
Alga supporters managed to bring the sound system through the
police barrier and began setting it up on the steps of the
Supreme Court building. Two buses immediately appeared, from
which riot police emptied out and formed a line at the bottom of
the steps. As several police attempted to seize the sound
system, Kozhakhmetov stepped forward to intercede, and in turn
was beaten, handcuffed, and placed in one of the newly-arrived
buses. In the ensuing confusion, more activists were detained.
Reports differ greatly on the numbers involved, from 10 to
several hundred. (Comment: Embassy staff finds the lower
numbers more credible.) Additional buses of riot police were
observed waiting nearby, should further manpower have become
necessary.
6. (SBU) A representative of the procuracy came out of the
Supreme Court building and read a statement on liability for
participation in illegal rallies. According to the procurator,
those people at the court entrance, who were still waiting for an
explanation from court staff as to why they were not allowed into
an open hearing, were participants of an illegal rally.
7. (SBU) According to the news service Interfax, Kozhakhmetov was
later released and the court hearing was held about half an hour
later than originally scheduled.
8. (SBU) Comment: Neither side appears entirely innocent in this
affair. While the government took active and heavy-handed
measures to prevent the scene from turning into a political
rally, Alga supporters clearly came out with the intention of
making some noise (quite literally, given the sound system they
brought along). End comment.
ORDWAY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING)
SENSITIVE
SIPIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: POLICE, ALGA SUPPORTERS CLASH AT SUPREME
COURT HEARING
1. (SBU) Summary: On June 6, opposition Alga party supporters
were denied access to a Supreme Court hearing on the Ministry of
Justice's decision to deny that party's bid for official
registration. Failing to gain entry to the hearing, Alga
supporters began to set up a sound system on the steps of the
building. Police met with resistance to their attempt to seize
the sound system, and in response, beat and detained a number of
Alga supporters, among them party head Asylbek Kozhakhmetov. End
summary.
-------------- --------------
Supreme Court Holds Hearing, Sides Prepare for Action
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) On June 6 in Astana, the Supreme Court held what was
billed as an open hearing on the opposition Alga party's lawsuit
against the Ministry of Justice regarding its decision not to
register the party. This lawsuit had previously been dismissed
by lower-level courts.
3. (SBU) From the early morning, police cordoned off the central
square where the Supreme Court is located, only permitting very
limited access into the guarded area. A number of operators
(some in police and prosecutor's uniforms, others in civilian
clothing) were also placed throughout the area to videotape the
morning's events. Additionally, according to an Alga press
release, Astana police stopped three buses of Almaty-based Alga
supporters from entering the city. Despite these measures, large
numbers of Alga supporters came out in an attempt to gain access
to the square, some of whom had brought with them a loudspeaker
and sound system.
-------------- --------------
Tension Boils Over as Access to Open Hearing Denied
-------------- --------------
4. (SBU) Roughly 15 people, including Alga leader Asylbek
Kozhakhmetov, Communist party leader Serikbolsyn Abdildin, For a
Just Kazakhstan activist Amirzhan Kosanov, and Deputy Chairperson
of Ak Zhol Lyudmila Zhulanova, were able to move through the
police barrier and reached the Supreme Court building. However,
the group was denied entry to the hearing. Guards explained that
an Alga party representative was already inside the courtroom,
and that no more observers would be admitted. Kozhakhmetov took
exception to this explanation and demanded entry. The remainder
of the group also insisted that they be allowed to attend,
reminding the guards that this was to be an open hearing. After
some discussion, the guards agreed to check with the court staff.
5. (SBU) While Kozhakhmetov's party was waiting for its answer,
Alga supporters managed to bring the sound system through the
police barrier and began setting it up on the steps of the
Supreme Court building. Two buses immediately appeared, from
which riot police emptied out and formed a line at the bottom of
the steps. As several police attempted to seize the sound
system, Kozhakhmetov stepped forward to intercede, and in turn
was beaten, handcuffed, and placed in one of the newly-arrived
buses. In the ensuing confusion, more activists were detained.
Reports differ greatly on the numbers involved, from 10 to
several hundred. (Comment: Embassy staff finds the lower
numbers more credible.) Additional buses of riot police were
observed waiting nearby, should further manpower have become
necessary.
6. (SBU) A representative of the procuracy came out of the
Supreme Court building and read a statement on liability for
participation in illegal rallies. According to the procurator,
those people at the court entrance, who were still waiting for an
explanation from court staff as to why they were not allowed into
an open hearing, were participants of an illegal rally.
7. (SBU) According to the news service Interfax, Kozhakhmetov was
later released and the court hearing was held about half an hour
later than originally scheduled.
8. (SBU) Comment: Neither side appears entirely innocent in this
affair. While the government took active and heavy-handed
measures to prevent the scene from turning into a political
rally, Alga supporters clearly came out with the intention of
making some noise (quite literally, given the sound system they
brought along). End comment.
ORDWAY