KAZAKHSTAN: OPPOSITION FIGURE MURDERED IN ALMATY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ALMATY 000576 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA- HELBLING) SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: POLITICAL SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: OPPOSITION FIGURE MURDERED IN ALMATY ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The body of leading opposition figure Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly, along with those of two associates, was found in an Almaty field on February 13. All three men had been shot to death and appear to have been murdered. The Minister of Internal Affairs is personally supervising the investigation, and assured the Ambassador in a phone call that every effort will be made to determine who carried out the crimes. Opposition contacts report that no one had been able to reach Sarsenbaiuly since late on February 11. At this point there is no explanation or theory of the crime. Suggested if-asked press guidance para. 7. End summary. -------------- Minister of Interior -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a conversation the afternoon of February 13 with the Ambassador, Interior Minister Mukhamedzhanov confirmed press reports that Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly, co-chair of True Ak Zhol and For a Just Kazakhstan, former Minister of Information, and former Kazakhstani ambassador to Russia, had been found shot to death earlier that day in a field not far from the center of Almaty. Sarsenbaiuly, his assistant, and his driver were discovered at 11:40 am local time by a shepherd in the Koktube neighborhood. ¶3. (SBU) Mukhamedzhanov told the Ambassador that he had sent Deputy Minister Shpekbayev to Almaty to oversee the investigation, and that all of the MVD's best investigators had been assigned to the case. The Minister added that he was taking the investigation under his personal control and would see that it is conducted vigorously. He said there are no further details of the crime yet. -------------- Opposition Contacts -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Contacts in the opposition movement provided the same details as Mukhamedzhanov. Sarsenbaiuly's assistant, Aidos Sarimov, told POL FSN that no one had been able to reach Sarsenbaiuly since 11:00 pm Saturday, February 11. Sarsenbaiuly's colleagues had been searching for him since then. He confirmed that Sarsenbaiuly lived in Almaty, is married, and has one son and one daughter. Other contacts reported that his family is in Moscow at the moment. ¶5. (SBU) Sarimov called back on the evening of February 13 to report that police at the scene had told the victims' relatives that it appeared the three men had been kidnapped Saturday night and driven to the scene in a large vehicle, judging from the tire tracks. The men, whose bodies were found on the ground, had each been shot once in the back and once in the head. -------------- Media Reaction -------------- ¶6. (U) Press reports have provided conflicting information about Sarsenbaiuly's apparent murder. Channel 31 initially reported that it was a hunting accident, but quickly retracted the story. ¶7. (SBU) If Department receives media or other inquiries on Sarsenbaiuly's death, post suggests the following response: The U.S. government is greatly saddened by the February 13 news of Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly's death in Almaty. We extend to his family and friends our deepest condolences and sympathy. Mr. Sarsenbaiuly was a well-known Kazakhstani political figure who served both within the government and as a prominent member of the opposition. Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly was well and favorably known to the U.S. government, and he will be missed by all those who knew and worked with him. We call upon the government of Kazakhstan to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Sarsenbaiuly's death, as well as the deaths of the two professional associates who were found with him. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: At this early stage in the investigation there appears to be no obvious explanation for Sarsenbaiuly's murder related to his personal, political, or business activities. Although foul play clearly appears to have been involved, it would be premature to speculate either on motive or who might be responsible. As the rumor mill begins to grind, post will endeavor to distinguish fact from speculation. End comment. ORDWAY