Kazakh Oppositionist Sentenced For Civil Disorder

The For A Just Kazakhstan opposition bloc says Alibek Zhumabaev was sentenced on May 15 for insulting the personal dignity and honor of President Nursultan Nazarbaev. He was also reportedly accused of calling for a revolt during the late-2005 presidential campaign.

For A Just Kazakhstan leader Zharmakhan Tuyakbai told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service today that his group considers the verdict politically motivated.

"We consider Alibek Zhumabaev's conviction and sentence of five years in prison to be a politically motivated move to punish him for his political activities, specifically the open expression of his attitude toward the current regime.  The accusation put forward against him, which is something like 'organizing mass disorder,' does not correspond to any law or justice,"  Tuyakbai said.

Tuyakbai said that Zhumabaev's lawyer will appeal the ruling.

(with additional agency reporting)