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

200149Z Jun 06

UNCLAS ALMATY 002160 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE), DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING) 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: POLICE, ALGA SUPPORTERS CLASH AT SUPREME 
COURT HEARING 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  On June 6, opposition Alga party supporters 
were denied access to a Supreme Court hearing on the Ministry of 
Justice's decision to deny that party's bid for official 
registration.  Failing to gain entry to the hearing, Alga 
supporters began to set up a sound system on the steps of the 
building.  Police met with resistance to their attempt to seize 
the sound system, and in response, beat and detained a number of 
Alga supporters, among them party head Asylbek Kozhakhmetov.  End 
summary. 
 
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Supreme Court Holds Hearing, Sides Prepare for Action 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) On June 6 in Astana, the Supreme Court held what was 
billed as an open hearing on the opposition Alga party's lawsuit 
against the Ministry of Justice regarding its decision not to 
register the party.  This lawsuit had previously been dismissed 
by lower-level courts. 
 
¶3. (SBU) From the early morning, police cordoned off the central 
square where the Supreme Court is located, only permitting very 
limited access into the guarded area.  A number of operators 
(some in police and prosecutor's uniforms, others in civilian 
clothing) were also placed throughout the area to videotape the 
morning's events.  Additionally, according to an Alga press 
release, Astana police stopped three buses of Almaty-based Alga 
supporters from entering the city.  Despite these measures, large 
numbers of Alga supporters came out in an attempt to gain access 
to the square, some of whom had brought with them a loudspeaker 
and sound system. 
 
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Tension Boils Over as Access to Open Hearing Denied 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶4. (SBU) Roughly 15 people, including Alga leader Asylbek 
Kozhakhmetov, Communist party leader Serikbolsyn Abdildin, For a 
Just Kazakhstan activist Amirzhan Kosanov, and Deputy Chairperson 
of Ak Zhol Lyudmila Zhulanova, were able to move through the 
police barrier and reached the Supreme Court building.  However, 
the group was denied entry to the hearing.  Guards explained that 
an Alga party representative was already inside the courtroom, 
and that no more observers would be admitted.  Kozhakhmetov took 
exception to this explanation and demanded entry.  The remainder 
of the group also insisted that they be allowed to attend, 
reminding the guards that this was to be an open hearing.  After 
some discussion, the guards agreed to check with the court staff. 
 
¶5. (SBU) While Kozhakhmetov's party was waiting for its answer, 
Alga supporters managed to bring the sound system through the 
police barrier and began setting it up on the steps of the 
Supreme Court building.  Two buses immediately appeared, from 
which riot police emptied out and formed a line at the bottom of 
the steps.  As several police attempted to seize the sound 
system, Kozhakhmetov stepped forward to intercede, and in turn 
was beaten, handcuffed, and placed in one of the newly-arrived 
buses.  In the ensuing confusion, more activists were detained. 
Reports differ greatly on the numbers involved, from 10 to 
several hundred.  (Comment:  Embassy staff finds the lower 
numbers more credible.)  Additional buses of riot police were 
observed waiting nearby, should further manpower have become 
necessary. 
 
¶6. (SBU) A representative of the procuracy came out of the 
Supreme Court building and read a statement on liability for 
participation in illegal rallies.  According to the procurator, 
those people at the court entrance, who were still waiting for an 
explanation from court staff as to why they were not allowed into 
an open hearing, were participants of an illegal rally. 
 
¶7. (SBU) According to the news service Interfax, Kozhakhmetov was 
later released and the court hearing was held about half an hour 
later than originally scheduled. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Comment: Neither side appears entirely innocent in this 
affair.  While the government took active and heavy-handed 
measures to prevent the scene from turning into a political 
rally, Alga supporters clearly came out with the intention of 
making some noise (quite literally, given the sound system they 
brought along).  End comment. 
 
ORDWAY