Kazakhstan tries 30 for links to banned group
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 August 2007 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakhstan tries 30 for links to banned group, 1 August 2007, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/46c1d36123.html [accessed 17 September 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. |
(RFE/RL)
August 1, 2007 (RFE/RL) – Kazakh authorities say 30 suspected members of an illegal Islamic group went on trial today in central Kazakhstan, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported.
Authorities accuse the 30 of belonging to the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir group, and are suspected of trying to recruit new members. They have been charged with membership in an illegal organization and inciting religious discord.
Kazakh National Security Committee spokeswoman Botagoz Ibraeva told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that some of those on trial are leaders of the group.
"Among those facing trial are leaders throughout all the regions, financial managers, and publishers of their literature," Ibraeva said.
Law-enforcement agencies in Central Asia say they usually confiscate Hizb ut-Tahrir's booklets and other literature, which usually call on people to overthrow their government and create an Islamic state in Central Asia.
Hizb ut-Tahrir says it seeks to achieve its aims by nonviolent means.
The group is banned throughout Central Asia, Russia, and in some Western European countries.
(with material from AP, Interfax)