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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/484/2335
From The Socialist newspaper, 26 April 2007
Kazakhstan:
Socialist wins court battle
LAST WEEK the Alma-Ata city Procurer (legal prosecutor), Kazakhstan, demanded the arrest and imprisonment, for 15 days, of Ainur Kurmanov, a well-known CWI member and opposition socialist activist in Kazakhstan.
This follows a recent court case when Ainur was fined for taking part in mass protests against the destruction of shanty towns near Alma-Ata to make way for 'entertainment complexes' and luxury flats.
The police and prosecutor cried Ainur's sentence was too 'light'. The procurer had the right to appeal. But at a court hearing, on Monday 23 April, the judge rejected the procurer's appeal.
Ainur sent the following:
Thanks for your support comrades!
The appeal by the procurer against the earlier fine issued to me took place in the Alma-Ata City Court today [23 April].
About 30 people, mainly from the different residents' action groups were in court to support us. In addition, there were eight journalists and human rights activists.
For an hour, we presented evidence to show the procurer's demands were unfounded and several witnesses gave evidence in our support. At the end, the judge rejected the appeal by the procurer and left the previous fine standing. We intend to appeal against the fine.
This is a victory. This is the first time the city courts have rejected the request of the procurer when dealing with protest actions.
A large role in this victory was played by the rapid response of our international comrades and by the attention from the mass media. In particular, we thank the England and Wales, Irish, Belgian, Australian, Scottish and German comrades, and, of course, Joe Higgins [Socialist Party TD, Ireland].
With revolutionary greetings,
Ainur Kurmanov.
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In The Socialist 26 April 2007:
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Campaign to Defeat Fees National Meeting
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Come to the Campaign for a New Workers' Party conference
Campaign for a New Workers' Party conference
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Campaigning for socialist ideas in South Wales
Huddersfield: Fighting against NHS cuts and closures
Coventry socialists fight Post Office closure
Southampton: Save our Services!
Merseyside: Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Bootle has a real socialist alternative
Manchester Wythenshawe: NHS cuts threaten lives
Donate to fund a socialist alternative
Socialist solidarity on May Day
International socialist news and analysis
Socialist wins court battle in Kazakhstan
France: Record turnout sees Royal and Sarkozy go through to second round
Yeltsin's real record - 'wild capitalism' in Russia
Nigerian elections - a dangerous farce
Socialist Party workplace news
UNISON Delegates demand action
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