Things are heating up in Kazakhstan over the murder of opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbaev. The Government of Kazakhstan has realized that they can not let this one slide; the furor, both internally and internationally is just too great. The story has made all major international papers, including the economist, and most mention that it is not the first of its kind. Kazakhstan is quickly becoming even more strongly associated than it already is with despotism, political intrigue, and murder.

Today six officers from Kazakhstan’s security service have been arrested in connection with the murder, and have already confessed to murder. Nathan points out that the surprise to all this isn’t that the security service is involved, but that attention is being drawn by Kazakh authorities to this fact.

However, given that Nazarbayev seems to be very concerned with his image in the West, he had little choice but to see that some heads (but not any too closely associated with him) roll for all this. He even called in the FBI to help out.

Needless to say, this was not exactly a random killing by some disgruntled cops.

The official gave details of the confessions, saying that the killing was ordered. “The organizer ordered the perpetrators to arrange the abduction of a certain businessman and deliver him to an agreed location,” he said. “For doing this job, he offered them a $25,000 reward after the job was completed.”

So, who was this “organizer”? How high up does this scandal go? Nazarbayev might throw someone relatively powerful to the wolves to keep up appearances, or he might not.

Either way, even with the FBI there, I for one will be surprised indeed if anyone powerful and connected with the current administration answers for this.