This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

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. 
 
-------------------- 
Minister of Interior 
-------------------- 
 
¶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 
------------------- 
 
¶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 
-------------- 
 
¶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