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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Kazakh opposition leader freed |
| 2006-01-16 |
| ALMATY -An opposition leader in Kazakhstan returned to Almaty on Sunday, the day after being released from prison where he was held since 2002 on charges of abusing his power as a former regional governor. The freed leader, Galymzhan Zhakyanov, was met at the train station by the current head of the main opposition and several hundred supporters. âThis is a day for justice, the ruling power has bowed to international pressure and civil rule,â said Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, leader of the opposition movement called âFor a Just Kazakhstanâ and an unsuccessful candidate in last monthâs presidential election. âWe have waited for this for such a long time.... Itâs a very emotional moment, I donât know what to say,â said Karlygach Zhakyanova, the freed leaderâs wife. The 42-year-old Zhakyanov stepped off the train, smiling, but made no comment about his release. âHis return will strengthen the opposition, thatâs certain. But it is not possible to say what his role and his positions will be,â said Yevgeny Zhovtis, leader of the International Office for Human Rights in Kazakhstan. Zhakyanov, who in 2001 founded the opposition Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan party which was outlawed three years later, was freed under a provision in the law allowing detainees to be released on parole after having served half their sentences. Considered by the human rights group Amnesty International as a political prisoner, Zhakyanov could still be returned to jail if he violates the law. |
| Posted by:Steve White |