Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 15:44 GMT

Kazakh court upholds sentence against Zhanaozen's ex-mayor

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 31 October 2012
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakh court upholds sentence against Zhanaozen's ex-mayor, 31 October 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/509b8b021e.html [accessed 5 June 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

October 31, 2012

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service

Oraq Sarbopeev (photo by Elena Kostyuchenko)Oraq Sarbopeev (photo by Elena Kostyuchenko)

AQTAU, Kazakhstan – A regional court in Kazakhstan has upheld the 10-year prison sentence for the former mayor of the western town of Zhanaozen.

Oraq Sarbopeev was found guilty of abuse of office and sentenced in September.

He was tried in connection with violent clashes between striking oil workers and police.

Police shot dead 16 people during clashes in December.

Authorities also have sought to prosecute a number of local officials suspected of stealing oil companies funds meant for employees.

Sarbopeev's predecessor, Zhalghas Babakhanov, was sentenced in September to two years in jail for embezzling oil company funds during his time as Zhanaozen mayor between 1999 and 2009.

In June, 13 people were sentenced to prison terms between three and seven years for inciting the Zhanaozen disorder.

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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