Aliyev
Documentary Film: The System Aliyev
11.07.2011. Category:Kazakhstan
While Western European media, especially the Austrian TV and print media cover the still ongoing legal struggle between Dr. Rakhat Aliyev, the Austrian and Kazakh judicial system regarding the alleged crimes of raiderstvo, murder, money laundering and kidnapping, the Canadian RTVC broadcasted a 60 minute documentary by the well-known film director Valery Balayan on July 09, 2011, focusing on the so-called „Aliyev system“, how he got into power in Kazakhstan, how he became one of the most influential individuals, powerful and ruthless.
In interviews with victims of Aliyev, former aides and persons around him, politicians and experts, it is the first attempt to draw a complete picture of the former doctor, who became later a leading figure within the Kazakh KNB, the financial police, Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria and the International Organizations residing in Vienna.
The film was shot in the first half of 2011, therefore the new allegations against Dr. Aliyev concering the murder of two bank managers in Almaty and investigations in Austria and Germany on money laundering were not included.
After the second extradition request was rejected by the Austrian Prosecutor General, a spokesperson of a Vienna court confirmed that the Austrian judiciary is now investigating the legal basis for a trial against Dr. Aliyev in Vienna.
In interviews with victims of Aliyev, former aides and persons around him, politicians and experts, it is the first attempt to draw a complete picture of the former doctor, who became later a leading figure within the Kazakh KNB, the financial police, Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria and the International Organizations residing in Vienna.
The film was shot in the first half of 2011, therefore the new allegations against Dr. Aliyev concering the murder of two bank managers in Almaty and investigations in Austria and Germany on money laundering were not included.
After the second extradition request was rejected by the Austrian Prosecutor General, a spokesperson of a Vienna court confirmed that the Austrian judiciary is now investigating the legal basis for a trial against Dr. Aliyev in Vienna.
Extradition request once again rejected
17.06.2011. Category:Kazakhstan
Today, a court in Vienna rejected to extradite Rakhat Aliyev and his aides back to Kazakhstan. The men are accused of kidnapping two bank managers and were sentenced to a long-term prison penalty by a Kazakh court.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the two managers were found, two German forensic experts after examining the corpses said that they were tortured and murdered.
The lawyer of the two widows said after the decision by the Austrian judge that he in his professional life never could expect such a dilettant behaviour by the judicial system of his country. He said that it is a failure, commenting the decision.
It is most likely that a new extradition request, now for murder, will be issued by the Kazakh authorities, together with a legal suit before the European Court for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the two managers were found, two German forensic experts after examining the corpses said that they were tortured and murdered.
The lawyer of the two widows said after the decision by the Austrian judge that he in his professional life never could expect such a dilettant behaviour by the judicial system of his country. He said that it is a failure, commenting the decision.
It is most likely that a new extradition request, now for murder, will be issued by the Kazakh authorities, together with a legal suit before the European Court for Human Rights.
Aliyev Blog Post - Rhetorics of a Haunted?
04.11.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
Statement by ETG Director Michael Laubsch:
Vienna - Although I am tired of playing a return ball to Dr. Aliyev’s ongoing „op-ed“ war against my person and Eurasian Transition Group, I would like to give a brief comment on his recent blog post. At the same time, let me underline the fact that I am not willing to participate further in a publishing battle with accusations and responds of a fugitive, whose personal reputation is at least doubtable.More ...
Vienna - Although I am tired of playing a return ball to Dr. Aliyev’s ongoing „op-ed“ war against my person and Eurasian Transition Group, I would like to give a brief comment on his recent blog post. At the same time, let me underline the fact that I am not willing to participate further in a publishing battle with accusations and responds of a fugitive, whose personal reputation is at least doubtable.More ...
Turning point in Aliyev case?
23.02.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
The Kazakh Government gave the Austrian authorites guarantees, that the former son-in-law of the Kazakh President Nazarbayev, Dr. Rakhad Aliyev will be treated under European Human Rights standards, if the Austrian court will detain him back to Kazakhstan. This was confirmed by the Kazakh Ambassador in Austria, Kasychanov.
He pointed out that Dr. Aliyev might also have retrial proceedings, which would be conductes under the UN Human Rights Convention. In addition, the Office of the General Prosecutor in Kazakhstan sent an official letter to its colleagues in Vienna, saying that an international observation of Dr. Aliyev’s possible future imprisonment would be welcomed by Kazakh authorities.
According to Austrian officials, this reaction by the Kazakh officials could be a „turning point in the case“, because until now, Dr. Aliyev was fighting against a possible extradition with the argument, he would be tortured in his home country. Manfred Nowak, UN Rapporteur against torture, underlined recently that systematic torture would no longer be used in Kazakhstan.
In addition, Austrian officials, who want to stay confidential, confirmed additional investigations against Dr. Aliyev regarding abduction and torture in connection with the death of Ms. Novikova.
He pointed out that Dr. Aliyev might also have retrial proceedings, which would be conductes under the UN Human Rights Convention. In addition, the Office of the General Prosecutor in Kazakhstan sent an official letter to its colleagues in Vienna, saying that an international observation of Dr. Aliyev’s possible future imprisonment would be welcomed by Kazakh authorities.
According to Austrian officials, this reaction by the Kazakh officials could be a „turning point in the case“, because until now, Dr. Aliyev was fighting against a possible extradition with the argument, he would be tortured in his home country. Manfred Nowak, UN Rapporteur against torture, underlined recently that systematic torture would no longer be used in Kazakhstan.
In addition, Austrian officials, who want to stay confidential, confirmed additional investigations against Dr. Aliyev regarding abduction and torture in connection with the death of Ms. Novikova.
Statement by ETG
29.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Statement by Eurasian Transition Group
The Internet Site KUB published a report by ETG, called "The Aliyev Dossier".
ETG would like to underline that KUB has no authorization for publishing the text, because it is an unofficial draft paper, that is still in the working process.
ETG is unaware of how KUB could get an electronic copy of this working paper.
ETG tried to contact the administrators of the web-site, but could not find a postal adress. Through the ICANN directory an adress in Russia was determined, but this adress is unreachable. Thereofore, we publish this statement on our web site.
Eurasian Transition Group, Bonn, 29.08.2009More ...
The Internet Site KUB published a report by ETG, called "The Aliyev Dossier".
ETG would like to underline that KUB has no authorization for publishing the text, because it is an unofficial draft paper, that is still in the working process.
ETG is unaware of how KUB could get an electronic copy of this working paper.
ETG tried to contact the administrators of the web-site, but could not find a postal adress. Through the ICANN directory an adress in Russia was determined, but this adress is unreachable. Thereofore, we publish this statement on our web site.
Eurasian Transition Group, Bonn, 29.08.2009More ...
Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of Nazarbayev, got married
25.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Rakhat Aliyev, the former highly ranked official of Kazakhstan, got officially married second time and took the family name of his wife, Svoboda slova Kazakh newspaper reports.More ...
Austrian TV: Interview with Rakhad Aliyev
09.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Vienna-Kazakh "Strudel" (in Russian)
04.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Венско-казахстанский слоеный пирог
Дело Алиева становится внутренней проблемой Австрии
Как известно, австрийские власти не выдали Алиева Казахстану и приостановили уголовное дело в его отношении. А те политики, которые проявили повышенный интерес к вопросу правомочности пребывания Алиева в Австрии, вынуждены отмываться от обвинений в пособничестве казахстанскому КНБ. Казалось бы, это должно было отбить охоту дальше углубляться в проблему «Астана v/s Алиев» для австрийского истеблишмента. Более того, такое впечатление укрепилось после создания в июле при австрийском парламенте временной комиссии по изучению, в числе прочих проблем, связей ряда политиков оппозиционных партий с КНБ Казахстана. Однако произошло неожиданное. Благодаря австрийской прессе в деле Алиева в последние дни оказались «замараны» практически все значимые политические партии Австрии, включая правящую Народную партию. В частности, речь идет о том, что ее политики (а именно эта партия несколько десятков лет держит в своих руках руководство МВД Австрии) обеспечили Алиеву вид на жительство в земле Нижняя Австрия, причем небезвозмездно. Называется имя бывшего министра внутренних дел Эриха Штрассера. Конкретные претензии в коррумпированности Алиевым обнародованы и в отношении видных представителей финансовых кругов Австрии. Приводятся сведения о конкретных схемах, по которым предположительно производилось отмывание денег Алиевым через счета австрийских футбольных клубов, указываются суммы.More ...
Дело Алиева становится внутренней проблемой Австрии
Как известно, австрийские власти не выдали Алиева Казахстану и приостановили уголовное дело в его отношении. А те политики, которые проявили повышенный интерес к вопросу правомочности пребывания Алиева в Австрии, вынуждены отмываться от обвинений в пособничестве казахстанскому КНБ. Казалось бы, это должно было отбить охоту дальше углубляться в проблему «Астана v/s Алиев» для австрийского истеблишмента. Более того, такое впечатление укрепилось после создания в июле при австрийском парламенте временной комиссии по изучению, в числе прочих проблем, связей ряда политиков оппозиционных партий с КНБ Казахстана. Однако произошло неожиданное. Благодаря австрийской прессе в деле Алиева в последние дни оказались «замараны» практически все значимые политические партии Австрии, включая правящую Народную партию. В частности, речь идет о том, что ее политики (а именно эта партия несколько десятков лет держит в своих руках руководство МВД Австрии) обеспечили Алиеву вид на жительство в земле Нижняя Австрия, причем небезвозмездно. Называется имя бывшего министра внутренних дел Эриха Штрассера. Конкретные претензии в коррумпированности Алиевым обнародованы и в отношении видных представителей финансовых кругов Австрии. Приводятся сведения о конкретных схемах, по которым предположительно производилось отмывание денег Алиевым через счета австрийских футбольных клубов, указываются суммы.More ...
Statement ETG on press conference of Aliyev's lawyers in Vienna today (in German)
02.09.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Erklärung der Eurasian Transition Group:
Der Vorstand der Eurasian Transition Group, e.V. gibt zum Pressegespräch der Kanzlei Brandstetter am 02.09.2009 in Wien folgende Erklärung ab:
Die im Pressebriefing der Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Brandstetter im Namen ihres Mandanten Dr. Rakhad Aliyev präsentierten Dokumente, welche beweisen sollen, dass unsere Organisation Teil des kasachischen Geheimdienstes oder der Regierung sei, sind unbegründet und führen in die Sackgasse.More ...
Der Vorstand der Eurasian Transition Group, e.V. gibt zum Pressegespräch der Kanzlei Brandstetter am 02.09.2009 in Wien folgende Erklärung ab:
Die im Pressebriefing der Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Brandstetter im Namen ihres Mandanten Dr. Rakhad Aliyev präsentierten Dokumente, welche beweisen sollen, dass unsere Organisation Teil des kasachischen Geheimdienstes oder der Regierung sei, sind unbegründet und führen in die Sackgasse.More ...
TV report on Aliyev and the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee in Vienna
27.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Former Kazakh KNB head speaks on Aliev's role In kidnappings
27.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
The former chief of Kazakhstan's Committee of National Security (KNB) says the former son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev "might" have been involved in the kidnapping of two high-ranking bankers in Kazakhstan.More ...
The Aliyev Empire is striking back
26.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
After the second meeting of the Austrian Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry today and a demonstration, organized by relatives of the missing Nur Bank managers, the Aliyev Empire is striking back.
All began with the statement by A. Musayev, the former Chief of the Kazakh KNB and close ally of Dr. Aliyev this weekend, stating that all accusations against the former Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Austria are in fact true and that Aliyev himself gave the order to make an attempt on Musayev’s life.
Later on, a lawyer who represents the families of the Nur Bank managers made a statement, in which he announced legal proceedings against a local Governor in Lower Austriaa and a prosecutor in Vienna, claiming that both officials helped Aliyev to receive the permission to stay in Austria and that the prosecutor backed Aliyev during the judicial investigations. In addition, Austrian politicians said that they received informations about the transfer of bribes by Aliyev to accounts of organizations close to the political and social life in Austria.
All this might also be a part of parliamentary investigations in Austria.
Today, Dr. Aliyev published a statement, in which he accuses ETG and Michael Laubsch of being a paid lobbyist for the Kazakh KNB. He said the following: „ ... It is also a fact that through the German lobbyist Michael Laubsch and ETG (Eurasian Transition Group), which he controls, unbelievable and smeared accusations against the Austrian judicial system we brought up and I can prove, that this Mr. Laubsch, who claims to be independent, is in a close and friendly contact with KNB-agents in Vienna. I already handed over the evidence material to Austrian officials“. (this is an unofficial translation; the original text can be found at the bottom of this article).
ETG and Michael in person underline the fact that there was never a contact with KNB officials regarding the Aliyev case, nor was any other dialogue with Kazakh secret services. In addition to this fact, ETG will consider legal proceedings against Dr. Aliyev, because those accusations only have their grounds in the mind of a person, who lost all his power.
In the past, ETG kept silence concerning several attempts by Aliyev in attacking ETG on a legal and personal basis; it is worth saying that all attempts did not work, nor had a basis. But now we are convinced to make those attacks public, for our own safety and security.
Eurasian Transition Group
Michael Laubsch
The original text, written by Dr. Rakhat Aliyev:
„Faktum ist auch, dass über den deutschen Lobbyisten Laubsch und
die von ihm kontrollierte Organisation "ETG" (Eurasian Transition
Group) unglaubliche und geradezu hetzerische Angriffe gegen die
österreichische Justiz publiziert wurden, und ich kann beweisen, dass
dieser Herr Laubsch, der sich als unabhängig gibt, in engem und
freundschaftlichem Kontakt zu kasachischen KGB-Agenten in der
Botschaft in Wien steht. Dieses Beweismaterial habe ich mittlerweile
den österreichischen Behörden übermittelt.“
All began with the statement by A. Musayev, the former Chief of the Kazakh KNB and close ally of Dr. Aliyev this weekend, stating that all accusations against the former Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Austria are in fact true and that Aliyev himself gave the order to make an attempt on Musayev’s life.
Later on, a lawyer who represents the families of the Nur Bank managers made a statement, in which he announced legal proceedings against a local Governor in Lower Austriaa and a prosecutor in Vienna, claiming that both officials helped Aliyev to receive the permission to stay in Austria and that the prosecutor backed Aliyev during the judicial investigations. In addition, Austrian politicians said that they received informations about the transfer of bribes by Aliyev to accounts of organizations close to the political and social life in Austria.
All this might also be a part of parliamentary investigations in Austria.
Today, Dr. Aliyev published a statement, in which he accuses ETG and Michael Laubsch of being a paid lobbyist for the Kazakh KNB. He said the following: „ ... It is also a fact that through the German lobbyist Michael Laubsch and ETG (Eurasian Transition Group), which he controls, unbelievable and smeared accusations against the Austrian judicial system we brought up and I can prove, that this Mr. Laubsch, who claims to be independent, is in a close and friendly contact with KNB-agents in Vienna. I already handed over the evidence material to Austrian officials“. (this is an unofficial translation; the original text can be found at the bottom of this article).
ETG and Michael in person underline the fact that there was never a contact with KNB officials regarding the Aliyev case, nor was any other dialogue with Kazakh secret services. In addition to this fact, ETG will consider legal proceedings against Dr. Aliyev, because those accusations only have their grounds in the mind of a person, who lost all his power.
In the past, ETG kept silence concerning several attempts by Aliyev in attacking ETG on a legal and personal basis; it is worth saying that all attempts did not work, nor had a basis. But now we are convinced to make those attacks public, for our own safety and security.
Eurasian Transition Group
Michael Laubsch
The original text, written by Dr. Rakhat Aliyev:
„Faktum ist auch, dass über den deutschen Lobbyisten Laubsch und
die von ihm kontrollierte Organisation "ETG" (Eurasian Transition
Group) unglaubliche und geradezu hetzerische Angriffe gegen die
österreichische Justiz publiziert wurden, und ich kann beweisen, dass
dieser Herr Laubsch, der sich als unabhängig gibt, in engem und
freundschaftlichem Kontakt zu kasachischen KGB-Agenten in der
Botschaft in Wien steht. Dieses Beweismaterial habe ich mittlerweile
den österreichischen Behörden übermittelt.“
The Situation at the OSCE regarding Kazakhstan is not very calm (in Russian)
26.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Михаэль Лаубш: Ситуация для Казахстана в ОБСЕ какая угодно, но не спокойная
Дворец Хофбург в Вене, где расположена штаб-квартира ОБСЕ
Новые требования Казахстана в адрес ОБСЕ вызвали волну критики среди других членов организации. С другой стороны, неожиданный союзник проявился у нее в Вене в "деле Алиева".More ...
Дворец Хофбург в Вене, где расположена штаб-квартира ОБСЕ
Новые требования Казахстана в адрес ОБСЕ вызвали волну критики среди других членов организации. С другой стороны, неожиданный союзник проявился у нее в Вене в "деле Алиева".More ...
Former Head of KNB leaves his former ally (in Russian)
25.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Бывший глава казахстанского КНБ Альнур Мусаев выступил с сенсационным заявлением в австрийской массовой газете Krone. Оно касается бывшего зятя президента Казахстана Рахата Алиева.More ...
Nazarbayev received a gift (in Russian)
25.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Назарбаев получил подарок
В Австрии разворачивается скандал вокруг бывшего зятя казахского президента
версия для печатиMore ...
В Австрии разворачивается скандал вокруг бывшего зятя казахского президента
версия для печатиMore ...
Alnur Musayev broke with Rakhat Aliyev (in Russian)
25.08.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Политэмигрант Альнур Мусаев, осужденный в Казахстане к 35 годам тюрьмы, дал интервью нашему радио Азаттык. Он говорит, что провел свое расследование исчезновения двух менеджеров Нурбанка и пришел к новым открытиям.
More ...
More ...
Казахстан: "средний зять" усиливает позиции
26.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
В Казахстане произошли изменения в руководстве крупнейших экономических институтов. Свое положение упрочил член семьи главы государства.More ...
Kazakhstan says reading 'banned' book no longer illegal
27.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's Prosecutor-General's Office has announced that people are allowed to read the previously banned book about President Nursultan Nazarbaev but not allowed to distribute it, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports. More ...
The Godfather-In-Law: Arkadi Dubnov's article in Vremja Novostei
26.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Нурсултан Абишевич Назарбаев заслуженно пользуется репутацией одного из самых мудрых политиков на постсоветском пространстве. Так считали еще на пространстве советском, когда оно в этом качестве доживало свой век почти 20 лет назад. Не случайно же тогда еще 50-летнего первого секретаря Компартии Казахстана прочили в премьеры обновленного СССР.More ...
The multipurpose Human Rights activist
25.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Aliyev’s blog post on Eurasian Transition Group and its Director Michael Laubsch (in Russian). ETG is not giving a comment on this, but would like to share this with its readers and members. Please contact Michael for any questions on the accusations in the article.
More ...Kazakhstan's book ban and the issue of 'Prior Restraint'
25.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
"Godfather-In-Law," a book about Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, has struck a raw nerve with authorities in that country.
More ...Kazakh officials investigating 'Godfather-In-Law' book
25.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
The Kazakh Prosecutor-General's Office has launched an investigation into the book "Godfather-in-Law," written by President Nursultan Nazarbaev's former son-in-law, Rakhat Aliev, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
More ...Wirbel im Fall Rakhat Aliyev
12.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Da liegt er nun im Spitalsbett einer Wiener Spezialklinik: die Augen müde, die Hände zittrig, die Stimme schleppend. „Charascho“, sagt Mukhtar Aliyev ein paarmal matt in das Mobiltelefon, das er an sein Hörgerät hält: „Gut.“
Am anderen Ende der Leitung ist sein Sohn Rakhat Aliyev. Was er sagt, ist nicht zu verstehen, es klingt aber aufgeregt. Der alte Herr verzieht gequält das Gesicht.More ...
Am anderen Ende der Leitung ist sein Sohn Rakhat Aliyev. Was er sagt, ist nicht zu verstehen, es klingt aber aufgeregt. Der alte Herr verzieht gequält das Gesicht.More ...
Spiegel: Der lange Arm des Präsidenten
11.05.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Seit zwei Jahren wird der Ex-Schwiegersohn des Herrschers Nursultan Nasarbajew in Wien von kasachischen Agenten gejagt. Jetzt belastet er den Staatschef schwer. Hinter der Familienfehde steckt ein internationaler Kampf um die Reichtümer am Kaspischen Meer.
Erst als das Schnitzel gegessen und das Tafelsilber abgeräumt ist, packt Rachat Alijew aus. Kasachstans selbsternannter "Staatsfeind Nummer eins" fischt aus prallgefüllten Reisetaschen Akten, die er als ins Wiener Exil gerettete Dokumente ausgibt. Vor der Eingangstür zum Maria-Theresia-Salon des Fünf-Sterne-Hotels Sacher, wo Alijew sich verschanzt hat, halten Leibwächter die Stellung.More ...
Erst als das Schnitzel gegessen und das Tafelsilber abgeräumt ist, packt Rachat Alijew aus. Kasachstans selbsternannter "Staatsfeind Nummer eins" fischt aus prallgefüllten Reisetaschen Akten, die er als ins Wiener Exil gerettete Dokumente ausgibt. Vor der Eingangstür zum Maria-Theresia-Salon des Fünf-Sterne-Hotels Sacher, wo Alijew sich verschanzt hat, halten Leibwächter die Stellung.More ...
Is Aliyev looking for a new home?
16.03.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
He is a condemned man in his native country, and is increasingly unwelcome in his adoptive home. And now Rakhat Aliyev, the disgraced former son-in-law of Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev, is looking for a new country where he can gain asylum, allege two relatives of a missing former bank executive.
Aliyev has been living in exile in Vienna, Austria, since Nazarbayev ousted him in 2007 as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. That move came amid a burgeoning scandal, in which Aliyev was implicated in the disappearances of two executives at Nurbank - Zholdas Timraliyev and Aybar Khasenov. Aliyev possessed a large stake in Nurbank at the time.
According to Timraliyev’s wife, Armangul Kapasheva, Austrian authorities are growing uncomfortable with Aliyev’s asylum status. Austrian authorities remain reluctant to send Aliyev back to Kazakhstan, where in January of 2008 he was convicted in absentia to a 20-year prison term on kidnapping racketeering and other financial crimes. [For background see the Eurasia Insight]. But there is the possibility that Aliyev could face a trial in Austria. "The ground is shifting for Aliyev in Vienna," Kapasheva said in an interview with EurasiaNet.
Kapasheva added that she has been passed information that Aliyev, sensing danger in Austria, has put out feelers to other states to accept him as an asylum seeker. Two countries that Kapasheva named were Great Britain and the United States. Upon hearing the rumors, she said she contacted US diplomats, who flatly denied receiving any such request from Aliyev.
To make sure, Kapasheva and her sister-in-law, Gulnara Timralieva, traveled to the United States recently to meet with officials in New York and Washington to raise awareness about Aliyev’s alleged involvement in the Nurbank executives’ disappearance.
Kapasheva retains the belief that her husband is still alive and expressed frustration that Aliyev refuses to meet with relatives of the missing men. "We’re not bloodthirsty," she said. "We just want to know what happened."
Source: Eurasianet
Aliyev has been living in exile in Vienna, Austria, since Nazarbayev ousted him in 2007 as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. That move came amid a burgeoning scandal, in which Aliyev was implicated in the disappearances of two executives at Nurbank - Zholdas Timraliyev and Aybar Khasenov. Aliyev possessed a large stake in Nurbank at the time.
According to Timraliyev’s wife, Armangul Kapasheva, Austrian authorities are growing uncomfortable with Aliyev’s asylum status. Austrian authorities remain reluctant to send Aliyev back to Kazakhstan, where in January of 2008 he was convicted in absentia to a 20-year prison term on kidnapping racketeering and other financial crimes. [For background see the Eurasia Insight]. But there is the possibility that Aliyev could face a trial in Austria. "The ground is shifting for Aliyev in Vienna," Kapasheva said in an interview with EurasiaNet.
Kapasheva added that she has been passed information that Aliyev, sensing danger in Austria, has put out feelers to other states to accept him as an asylum seeker. Two countries that Kapasheva named were Great Britain and the United States. Upon hearing the rumors, she said she contacted US diplomats, who flatly denied receiving any such request from Aliyev.
To make sure, Kapasheva and her sister-in-law, Gulnara Timralieva, traveled to the United States recently to meet with officials in New York and Washington to raise awareness about Aliyev’s alleged involvement in the Nurbank executives’ disappearance.
Kapasheva retains the belief that her husband is still alive and expressed frustration that Aliyev refuses to meet with relatives of the missing men. "We’re not bloodthirsty," she said. "We just want to know what happened."
Source: Eurasianet
Three years on, Kazakh politician's killing haunts Nazarbaev regime
13.02.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
Three years ago today, Kazakhs were shocked by the news that the leader of the opposition Naghz Aq Zhol (True Bright Path) party had been found dead in an Almaty suburb. Altynbek Sarsenbaev and two associates had been shot execution-style, with their hands tied behind their backs.More ...