Kazakhstan Requests Extradition Of President's Relative

May 30, 2007 -- Kazakhstan today requested the extradition from Austria of Rakhat Aliev, the son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

Aliev is married to Nazarbaev's eldest daughter, Darigha.


Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry announced on May 28 that it had issued a warrant through Interpol for Aliev's arrest.


He is wanted for the abduction of two officials in January -- a charge he denies.


Aliev also is being investigated for alleged links to organized criminal groups and illegal business activities.


Aliev was Kazakhstan's ambassador to Austria until May 26 when he was dismissed from that post.


(dpa)