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