Kazakh Communist Party hopes France does not extradite Ablyazov to CIS
ALMATY. Aug 21 (Interfax) - The Kazakh Communist Party has presented an open appeal to French President Francois Hollande urging him not to extradite detained banker Mukhtar Ablyazov to CIS countries.
"We think that the Kazakh authorities could make a proposal to the French government and justice system that trials be held in France without extradition to third countries in order to show the entire world that they do not want a political scandal over Ablyazov," Communist Party First Secretary Gaziz Aldamzharov said at a news conference in Almaty on Wednesday.
"We, the Kazakh Communists, are certain that you, as president, will not allow the repetition of another international scandal in your country and will not allow the deportation of Ablyazov to any CIS countries," the Communist Party's appeal, read by Aldamzharov, said.
Communists said they were outraged that taxpayers' money was spent to catch Ablyazov. "On the basis of political analysis, we are certain that the possible extradition of the banker and his trial in Kazakhstan will not be fair and objective, moreover, pure violence against him prior to the trial is not a possibility to be excluded," Aldamzharov said.
Ablyazov has been detained in France under the international warrant issued by a Kyiv court. The banker could be extradited to Ukraine or Russia if the court makes a relevant ruling.
In 2010 Ablyazov was put on the international most wanted list by Ukrainian investigative authorities for fraud and embezzlement.
Kazakhstan accused Ablyazov of misappropriating over $6 billion. In February 2012, a London court sentenced the Kazakh oligarch to 22 months in prison for contempt of court but Ablyazov managed to escape.
According to the information of Kazakh Prosecutor General's Office, Ablyazov and his accomplices are under "criminal investigation by the law enforcement agencies of Cyprus, Hungary and Latvia and the authorities in Ireland and Finland are checking on companies affiliated with Ablyazov".