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.

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Minister of Interior
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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.

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Opposition Contacts
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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.

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Media Reaction
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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