Brussels, 10/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton encouraged the Kazakh authorities to review the trial process, “in line with the international commitments and obligations of Kazakhstan”, of the leader of the Kazakh opposition party “Alga!”, Vladimir Kozlov, who has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and confiscation of his property. He was accused of inciting social discord, attempting to overthrow the government and organising a criminal group that incited violence in Zhanaozen in December 2011.
In her press release Ashton considered that the punishment was “disproportionate” and seemed “to carry political overtones”. She said that the EU has noted several shortcomings in the judicial process - the trial processes did not provide clear insight into the investigations of the events, nor prove the guilt or direct involvement of Kozlov in the violence. She said that the EU delegation in Astana has been able to follow the trial freely.
Ashton “assumes that Mr Kozlov will be granted the right to a free, fair and transparent appeal process”, the press release states. (CG/transl.fl)