Austria To Try Kazakh 'Spy' For Kidnap Attempt
The suspect is thought to have tried to kidnap former Kazakh National Security Committee chief Alnur Musaev (pictured).
July 22, 2009
VIENNA -- Austrian officials say they will put a suspected Kazakh spy on trial in September for attempted kidnapping, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
Investigators suspect a man identified as "Ildar A." attacked former Kazakh National Security Committee (KNB) chief Alnur Musaev in September with the intention of abducting him.
Musaev is one of two former KNB officials currently living in self-imposed exile in Austria.
The other is Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev who served as Kazakh ambassador to Austria in early 2007.
Kazakh authorities have sought to have Aliev and Musaev extradited to Kazakhstan, where they have been tried and convicted in absentia on charges ranging from illegal business activities to plotting to overthrow the government.
Austrian authorities rejected the extradition request on the grounds that the men would not receive fair trials in Kazakhstan.
"Ildar A." faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
Two Austrian policemen were sacked and prosecuted for doing illegal computer checks on Musaev's and Aliev's activities in Austria.
Kazakhstan will assume the chairmanship in 2010 of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is headquartered in Vienna.