Monthly Archive

2017

Welcome to our Archives page. On this page you will find a total of 152 of our articles broken down into Months and Years.
Belgian authorities probe Kazakh paymasters in Nicholas Sarkozy's helicopter deal
Corruption!
4243

Belgian authorities probe Kazakh paymasters in Nicholas Sarkozy's helicopter deal

Belgian Federal Parliament to examine events which "shame the country, democracy and justice". A drama is being played out in the unlikely setting of a Brussels parliamentary committee room that co... read more..
Central Asia Corruption: High-Brow Racketeers Society in Kazakhstan
Corruption!
1930

Central Asia Corruption: High-Brow Racketeers Society in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, two former prime ministers are serving jail terms now, and shadows are packing on top of dozens of other members of the upper circle and hundreds within slightly lower echelons. A clea... read more..
Brothers Again: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
Political process
2383

Brothers Again: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana. A few weeks after making his first foray abroad — a two-day trip to Turkmenistan — Uzbek President Sh... read more..
Akezhan Kazhegeldin: "The people themselves are still the source of power in Kazakhstan. Although they don't always remember that."
Extra
5101

Akezhan Kazhegeldin: "The people themselves are still the source of power in Kazakhstan. Although they don't always remember that."

Ermurat Bapi interviews Akezhan Kazhegeldin. Q. In a recent interview in Novaya Gazeta Kazakhstan, you commented disparagingly on the last constitutional reform. By contrast, the Kazakh mass media ... read more..
Kazakhstan announces $7.5 bln bailout of top lender Kazkommertsbank
Events and opinions
1920

Kazakhstan announces $7.5 bln bailout of top lender Kazkommertsbank

Kazakhstan's state-run "bad bank" will buy 2.4 trillion tenge ($7.5 billion) of bad loans from Kazkommertsbank, the country's biggest lender by assets, paving the way for a takeover by its closest riv... read more..
Kazakhgate: Chodiev tuyautait la Sûreté de l’État belge
Corruption!
2467

Kazakhgate: Chodiev tuyautait la Sûreté de l’État belge

L’homme d’affaires kazakh donnait des infos aux agents belges et demandait des faveurs en retour. L’homme d’affaires belgo-kazakh Patokh Chodiev, par lequel le scandale du Kazakhgate est arrivé, ét... read more..
Kazakhstan risks backlash over labor crackdown
Economy
1780

Kazakhstan risks backlash over labor crackdown

Kazakhstan is facing the growing prospect of an international backlash over a crackdown on labor unions that has curtailed workers' rights and increased the likelihood of social unrest and political d... read more..
Kazakhstan: Constitution Reforms to Be Reviewed in Parliament
Political process
2149

Kazakhstan: Constitution Reforms to Be Reviewed in Parliament

Following the formal end of national discussions in Kazakhstan on constitutional reforms intended, if only on paper, to rebalance authority away from the president toward the executive and the legisla... read more..
Swiss Probe Lombard Odier in Uzbek Money Laundering Case
Corruption!
1832

Swiss Probe Lombard Odier in Uzbek Money Laundering Case

Swiss prosecutors announced Thursday that they are investigating whether private bank Lombard Odier failed to prevent the daughter of former Uzbek president Islam Karimov from laundering money. Loc... read more..
The BOTA Foundation Revisited -- Part Two: BOTA – A Quick Recap
Events and opinions
1688

The BOTA Foundation Revisited -- Part Two: BOTA – A Quick Recap

The agreement to start the Foundation emerged in 2007 after more than two years of discussion between the Governments of the United States, Switzerland and Kazakhstan (known as “the Parties”) about th... read more..
Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Drive Turns Against Opposition
Events and opinions
1857

Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Drive Turns Against Opposition

Kazakhstan’s renewed efforts against corruption might mask a strategy aimed to silence opposition figures and activists. Last month, we covered the arrest of Kazakhstan’s former Minister of Economy K... read more..
Aisultan Nazarbayev: Kazakhstan Soccer’s Savior?
Events and opinions
1922

Aisultan Nazarbayev: Kazakhstan Soccer’s Savior?

Kazakhstan’s Football Federation has a new vice president with a familiar sounding surname — Aisultan Nazarbayev. With this appointment, President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s grandson has finally achieved... read more..
Billionaire Suing Four US Residents in London Was the ‘Victim of a Political Campaign’
Extra
4386

Billionaire Suing Four US Residents in London Was the ‘Victim of a Political Campaign’

A wealthy British businessman who is feuding with the state of Kazakhstan over hundreds of millions of dollars of disputed assets claims the Kazakh secret police put him and his brother under “extreme... read more..
Ukrainian who proposed Russia deal to Trump associates investigated for treason
Events and opinions
1539

Ukrainian who proposed Russia deal to Trump associates investigated for treason

A Ukrainian lawmaker who met with associates of President Trump about a possible peace deal is now facing a treason investigation. Andrei Artemenko is under scrutiny from investigators for proposin... read more..
Lawyers For Kazakh President's Late Son-In-Law Vow To Fight On For Murder Probe
Events and opinions
1479

Lawyers For Kazakh President's Late Son-In-Law Vow To Fight On For Murder Probe

Lawyers for the family of Rakhat Aliyev -- the late former lieutenant and son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev -- say they still believe he was murdered in an Austrian prison and will co... read more..
Journalism watchdog calls on Kazakhstan to release jailed editor
Events and opinions
1301

Journalism watchdog calls on Kazakhstan to release jailed editor

Authorities in Kazakhstan should immediately release Zhanbolat Mamay, editor of the independent newspaper Sayasi kalam/Tribuna, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on February 13. Police arre... read more..
Turkmenistan’s electoral denial
Events and opinions
1447

Turkmenistan’s electoral denial

On the eve of another sham election, Turkmenistan’s rulers aren’t taking the need for change seriously. Have they begun to believe their own propaganda? Should we pay any attention to Turkmenista... read more..
Moody's Negative Outlook on Kazakhstan's Banking System Reflects Heightened Insolvency Risks
Events and opinions
1429

Moody's Negative Outlook on Kazakhstan's Banking System Reflects Heightened Insolvency Risks

Moody's Investors Service's negative outlook on Kazakhstan's banking sector reflects the rating agency's expectation that banks will continue to face solvency risks amid a challenging business environ... read more..
Why Kazakhstan Goes to Court in the United States
Events and opinions
1365

Why Kazakhstan Goes to Court in the United States

Kazakhstan, over the past few years, has filed repeated lawsuits with American courts against opposition actors. While the recent hacking allegations surrounding Moscow and the U.S. presidential elec... read more..
Central Asia’s Autocrats Welcome the Age of Trump
Events and opinions
1317

Central Asia’s Autocrats Welcome the Age of Trump

The Trump administration’s narrow focus on fighting the Islamic State could see human rights take a back seat as Washington embraces unsavory allies. President Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign ... read more..
Kazakhstan Going Into Soft Power Overdrive
Events and opinions
1476

Kazakhstan Going Into Soft Power Overdrive

Kazakhstan made the front pages of international newspapers last month when it hosted the first round of Syria peace talks. The diplomatic initiative is kicking off a year that will see a major PR pus... read more..
White Collar Crime in Central Asia: The Case of Kazakhstan
Events and opinions
1417

White Collar Crime in Central Asia: The Case of Kazakhstan

Editor's note: This is the fourth part of a series of four articles on white collar crime in Central Asian countries. The first article, on Kyrgyzstan, can be read here. The second article, on Tajikis... read more..
Kazakhstan: Trial Drives Accused to Self-Immolation
Events and opinions
1358

Kazakhstan: Trial Drives Accused to Self-Immolation

Self-immolation has in recent times become a recurrent gesture of ultimate despair in Kazakhstan. In the latest such case, a ex-employee of the Atyrau regional prosecutor’s office, 37-year old Leila ... read more..
How To Get Back A Lost $10B: One Bank's Tale In Europe's Biggest Alleged Fraud
Events and opinions
1466

How To Get Back A Lost $10B: One Bank's Tale In Europe's Biggest Alleged Fraud

Few people have much time for banks right now but spare a thought for BTA Bank of Kazakhstan. Like many other banks it has lost billions of dollars over the last decade.Unlike many of its peers, howev... read more..
Group of Experts Meets in Kazakhstan to Discuss Syrian Crisis
Events and opinions
1517

Group of Experts Meets in Kazakhstan to Discuss Syrian Crisis

A delegation of experts is meeting in Kazakhstan's capital to discuss the cease-fire agreement in Syria. Representatives from Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United Nations are in Astana Monday for th... read more..
Kazakhstan: 2 Union Leaders Arrested
Events and opinions
2774

Kazakhstan: 2 Union Leaders Arrested

Police in western Kazakhstan arrested two trade union leaders on January 20, 2017, Human Rights Watch said today. The men apparently face prosecution in connection with a hunger strike over the force... read more..
Are Political Reforms Afoot in Kazakhstan? Not so fast; Nazarbayev will remain the “supreme arbiter.”
Events and opinions
1883

Are Political Reforms Afoot in Kazakhstan? Not so fast; Nazarbayev will remain the “supreme arbiter.”

Wednesday, Central Asia watchers were all atwitter over a surprising announcement by Kazakhstan’s long-time president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, that he would aim to devolve some of his powers to Parliame... read more..
Norway: American Executive Sentenced to Seven Years for Bribery
Events and opinions
1226

Norway: American Executive Sentenced to Seven Years for Bribery

A Norwegian appeals court said Tuesday it extended the prison sentence for an American who served as chief legal adviser of fertilizer giant Yara International to seven years for aggravated bribery in... read more..
Corruption: A Danger to Democracy in Europe and Eurasia
Events and opinions
1480

Corruption: A Danger to Democracy in Europe and Eurasia

On December 7, 2016, KI Executive Director Charles Davidson testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats. Watch the opening statements and first ques... read more..
Shielding Seized Assets From Corruption’s Clutches
Corruption!
1957

Shielding Seized Assets From Corruption’s Clutches

An effort by the United States to seize assets from officials who stole their countries’ wealth is now focused on returning the loot without enriching the looters. One would think that an icon... read more..
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