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Home   |   The Socialist 19 - 25 Oct 2006   |   Join the Socialist Party

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CWI members jailed by Kazakhstan regime

Appeal from Yuri Federov, Socialist Resistance (CWI), Kazakhstan and Rob Jones, CWI, Moscow

Just as Socialist Resistance (CWI) member, Daniyar Yenikeyev, was released from ten days in jail in Alma-Ata, for the "crime" of participating in a protest, his place was taken by fellow Socialist Resistance member, Ainur Kurmanov, who was sentenced to 5 days, on Tuesday, 17 October.

Ainur's 'crime' was to turn up at the jail with other members of Socialist Resistance, with sausages, cigarettes and matches to give to jailed Daniyar. As the delegation attempted to persuade the guards to hand over their gifts to Daniyar, some held up placards reading, "Free Daniyar", "How are you Daniyar?" and "We're with you". After a few minutes, five of delegation were taken bundled into a police van by police and held for 3 hours without explanation.

Later, when the comrades went to meet Daniyar, on his release, they were understandably careful and stood on the other side of the street so they watch a stationary police van. But this did not stop the police coming over and, once again, taking hold of Ainur, and three other comrades, Olzhas Abilov, Artur Mangutkin and Chingiz Yezhebayev. This time they were taken to the regional court. As there was no judge present, so the police took matters into their own hands and the group were kept overnight in a holding cell, which are known as "monkey cages". No formal charges were made.

When challenged, the Deputy Chief of Police claimed that the group were held because they possessed placards calling for the "overthrow of the constitutional order" – he obviously thought there was a hidden meaning to the placard reading "How are you, Daniyar?"! The Deputy Chief later tried to back down from this claim. The four were then taken to court the next morning. The police refused them access to a solicitor and two other young activists from Socialist Resistance were told to assist in their defence. The police presented the attempts by Socialist Resistance members to hand over sausages and cigarettes to Daniyar, while hew was imprisoned, as an "illegal demonstration".

The hearing began. Olzhas, Artur and Chingiz were shown the 'evidence' against them and were allowed to look at a video recording of the events. The hearing was then postponed as the "defence advocates" were required at another court case. The hearing against Ainur, however, continued. He was put under intolerable pressure, when all the officers from the police station, headed by Colonel Nenashev, crowded the room. Only after some minutes dispute over their presence, were the police were asked to leave. However, Ainur was not allowed to see the documents used in 'evidence' against him or to see the evidence of the so-called prosecution 'witnesses'. The police asked for Ainur to be given 10 days jail. The judge sentenced him to five days.

Later, on the same day, the other three defendants were released with "warnings". One of them, Chingiz was fined "one minimum wage" (1030 tenge or 6 euro). The four left the court exhausted but in good spirits. Ainur was left to five days in jail.

Only one week before, Ainur was fined for participating in a "non-sanctioned protest" (According to law, organisers of any protest, whether in the form of a picket or demonstration, need to get 'permission' from the authorities, which is almost always refused). Ainur's fine was 50 minimum wages (300 euros). As he is unemployed this will be extremely difficult to pay.

It is now clear the state is targeting Socialist Resistance (CWI). They are attempting to accuse Ainur with offences like "offending the person of the city mayor". This is a criminal charge and, in the past, worker-activists were jailed for a year, on such charges.

Please send urgent protests at these illegal arrests and at the ongoing repression against Socialist Resistance comrades, to local Kazakhstan embassies. Send messages of support to: pabgem@online.ru and socialism-rk@mail.ru.

Comradely,

Yuri Federov, Socialist Resistance (CWI), Kazakhstan

Rob Jones, CWI, Moscow

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