On 24th May 2007, independent Journalist Sergei Duvanov was arrested in Almaty. Duvanov was holding an unsanctioned protest against what he calls the ‘Turkmenbashizma’ of Kazakhstan. Earlier in the day Duvanov posted a statement on kub.kz, in which he argued that the recent constitutional reforms are nothing but political deceit. Duvanov argues that the recent so-called democratic political reforms are, if anything, to the contrary and represent “no more than the next step in strengthening the personal authority of Nazarbaev”. This is in relation to deputies in parliament, last week, appending a further amendment to the constitution that will allow president Nazarbaev to stand for unlimited terms in office. Moreover, according to Duvanov, ‘having changed the constitution, these deputies have not at all taken an interest in the opinion of Kazakh society’. With this in mind Duvanov was protesting against the fastening principles within the constitution that represent a postponing of real democracy taking root in Kazakhstan. Consequently, as a citizen, he sort to not be indifferent to what is occurring in the country and arranged the protest against the recent constitutional amendments at Republic Square in Almaty at 19.00.

Around 40-50 people turned up for the protest. They were, however, met by at least half as many police and assorted plain clothes KNB officers. After twenty minutes, and much discussion with police officers, Duvanov was forcibly pushed into a waiting bus where he was taken off to prison. The early indication from police on the ground was that he would be held for three days. In Kazakhstan it is illegal to hold a public gathering without permission from the local Akimat.

Duvanov’s arrest has come at time in Almaty when there is much political intrigue and excitement over the recently announced investigation into the abduction of Nurbank directors, A. Gilimov and Z. Timraliev, which has implicated Rakhat Aliev, the president’s son-in-law as implicit in the kidnapping. Currently in Almaty, there is a palatable sense in the air that within the ruling elite ‘something is happening’, but what it means and where it will lead is unknown.

The Opposition Party, Nagyz AK Zhol” has filed an application to the Akimat for an opposition rally to be held on June 3rd. Earlier this year, in February, the opposition were permitted to hold a rally in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of Altynbek Sarsenbayev’s murder. Many involved in the opposition saw the fact that the city Akim, Imangali Tasmagambetov, allowed such a meeting as a positive signal. Let’s hope a similar signal is sent so that Sergei Duvanov is allowed to walk free for merely protesting his discontent at the recent amendments to the constitution.