Frustrations have been bolstered by perceptions that crucial national decisions are being made without the general population being consulted.

A Russian-tied lobbyist who attended the notorious Trump Tower meeting and a longtime GOP operative are teaming up to lobby on behalf of a Kazakh fugitive alleged to have stolen millions from the Central Asian country.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, the only leader Kazakhstan had known since the country gained independence nearly 30 years ago, resigned March 19. During his televised announcement, the longtime autocrat noted his government’s shortcomings in addressing economic problems and expressed desire for a new generation of leadership.

Authorities in Kazakhstan are cracking down on citizens holding public demonstrations in support of the constitution.

The Nationwide Social Democratic Party of Kazakhstan announced on Friday that it would not field a candidate for snap presidential elections slated for June 9 because it did not want to legitimize elections “without a choice.”

The new Kazakh president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, flies a modest Airbus A321 jet. His predecessor and patron Nursultan Nazarbayev moves around on a much bigger wide-body Airbus A330-200.