Astana wants Kazakh diplomats returned from Germany
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 July 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Astana wants Kazakh diplomats returned from Germany, 2 July 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53ce304614.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This 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. |
July 02, 2014
Kazakhstan is working on the extradition of two of its diplomats from Germany, where they are serving prison terms for smuggling.
Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisov wrote on Twitter during an online press conference on July 2 that negotiations with German authorities are under way to transfer the former general consul of Kazakhstan in Frankfurt-on-Main, Akhat Alpysbaev, and a former subordinate so that they can continue serving their prison terms in their homeland.
Alpysbaev and his associate, whose name was not mentioned, were arrested in September on suspicion of smuggling cigarettes to Germany using diplomatic mail services.
Investigators estimated the damage to the German treasury caused by the Kazakh diplomats' activities amounted to some1.7 million euros ($2.3 million).
In April, a court in Germany sentenced the two Kazakh diplomats to 34 months in jail each.
Based on reporting by KazTAG, Interfax, and bild.de
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
