BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON MUZAFFAR ISMAILOVICH KURBANBAYEV, NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001430 E.O. 12958: DECL: 2033-12-04 TAGS: PGOV PINR UZ KZ SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ON MUZAFFAR ISMAILOVICH KURBANBAYEV, NEW PROSECUTOR OF KARAKALPAKSTAN AUTONOMOUS REGION CLASSIFIED BY: RICKER, JAMES B; (B) ¶1. (SBU) On November 12th, 2008, Musa Yerniyazov, Chairman of the Jokargy Kenges (Parliament) of Uzbekistan's Autonomous Karakalpakstan Region, signed a decree appointing Muzaffar Ismailovich Kurbanbayev as the new Prosecutor of Karakalpakstan. Kurbanbayev replaced Hakimboy Ashirovich Halimov, who President Karimov appointed Deputy Prosecutor of Uzbekistan on August 1, 2008. ¶2. (SBU) Post has acquired the following biographical information on Karakalpakstan's new Prosecutor. Kurbanbayev was born in 1973 in the Turtkul District of Karakalpakstan. After graduating from the Tashkent State Law Institute in 1995, he began his career as a Senior Inspector in the Turtkul District Prosecutor's Office. He subsequently served as an Investigator in the Shumanay District Office of the Prosecutor; Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor of Amudaryo District; Senior Investigator in the Office of the Prosecutor in Nukus; Senior Investigator on Special Important Cases, Senior Prosecutor and Section Chief in Karakalpakstan's Office of the Prosecutor. From 2006 to 2008, Kurbanbayev was the Prosecutor of Turtkul District. From the beginning of 2008 until November 12, 2008, he was the Deputy Prosecutor of Karakalpakstan. ¶3. (C) Comment: Government sources claim that Halimov maintained closer contacts with unspecified members of the Presidential Administration in Tashkent, than with Yerniyazov, the Chairman of the Karakalpakstan's Parliament. As a result of his strong ties to Tashkent, some local contacts believe Halimov was originally nominated to become Karakalpakstan's Prosecutor to monitor any pro-independence sentiments amongst the local populace. This may be one reason that Yerniyazov wished to replace Halimov. While Kurbanbayev will also likely be monitoring local sentiments in favor of independence, and possibly reporting on this sensitive issue back to Tashkent, he is also considered to be closer to Yerniyazov. Despite the fact that Halimov was replaced in Karakalpakstan, the fact that he was nominated to become Uzbekistan's new Deputy Prosecutor shows that he is still viewed favorably by the Presidential Administration. BUTCHER To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:5ebf177d-859e- 44c4-b820-a570171f6695