KAZAKHSTAN CONSIDERING TRANSFER OF DETAINEES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 000336 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE, M. OMARA),S/WCI (R. MILLER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016 TAGS: PTER KAWC PHUM PINR KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN CONSIDERING TRANSFER OF DETAINEES REF: A. STATE 569 ¶B. 05 STATE 212932 ¶C. 05 ALMATY 4357 Classified By: DCM Mark Asquino, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (SBU) This cable contains a request for guidance, para. 5. ¶2. (C) EBO principal officer delivered Ref A demarche to Valikhan Konurbayev, Head of the MFA Consular Department on January 26 (re: proposed transfer of GTMO detainee Abdullah Tohtasinovich Makrubov). Konurbayev confirmed that his department has responsibility within the MFA for issues related to detainees. He indicated that he would refer the USG proposal regarding Makrubov to Kazakhstani law enforcement agencies for consideration. ¶3. (C) Konurbayev said that he was also coordinating the Kazakhstani response to the Ref B demarche regarding GTMO detainee Yakub Abahanov. The MFA North Americas division (Ref C) had forwarded the matter to him for action after our December 7 demarche. He had referred the case to law enforcement authorities for comment, but had not yet received their responses; he promised to follow up and advise us of the response. Konurbayev mentioned that the law enforcement representatives might want to meet with U.S. experts to discuss the terms of release. ¶4. (C) Konurbayev added that while no decision had been made, he could say with certainty that any detainees who were returned to Kazakhstan would not be persecuted. The GOK would, however, keep a close eye on them to ensure that they did not become involved in future extremist activities. ¶5. (SBU) Post requests guidance as to whether it would be possible to arrange a visit to Astana by Department or other USG experts on detainee matters. ORDWAY