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#yermeknarymbayev Uproar at Kazakhstan activists’ trial

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FreeENBy Giacomo Fracassi

The controversial trial in Kazakhstan of two prominent civil society campaigners accused of inciting ethnic discord has descended into chaos with proceedings derailed amid angry courtroom scenes and claims the authorities are trying to force a sick man into the dock.

Yermek Narymbayev (pictured) was rushed to hospital in an ambulance from the Almaty courtroom on 6 January after complaining of heart problems, but was later returned to court after doctors declared him fit to stand trial, prompting co-defendant Serikhzhan Mambetalin to threaten a hunger strike in protest.

Furious scenes broke out in the courtroom after the judge ordered Narymbayev back into the dock, a video posted on Facebook by journalist Ayan Sharipbayev shows. Supporters of Narymbayev shouted: “Shame, shame!”, rising to their feet and haranguing the judge and the prosecutors.

Earlier on 6 January, Narymbayev, who has an history of heart problems, had asked the judge to curtail the schedule of hearings due to his ill health. “I ask you to slow the pace, I want to live to reach sentencing,” Respublika-kz.info quoted him as saying.

Narymbayev and Mambetalin were arrested in October on charges of fomenting ethnic strife in Facebook postings related to an unpublished book written by another anti-government activist, Murat Telibekov. Their trial started in December.

Mambetalin, the former leader of the Ruhaniyat (Spiritual Strength) party, which was banned ahead of 2012 elections, had said prior to their arrest that he and Narymbayev, leader of the Arman opposition movement, were under attack for citing the writings of an activist with the Union of Muslims of Kazakhstan, known for his anti-regime views.

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“By arresting Narymbaev and Mambetalin, the police seem more interested in muzzling government critics than in combating actual criminal activity,” Mihra Rittmann of Human Rights Watch said in a statement issued after their arrest.

The trial is due to resume on January 8, but reporters have now been barred from attending hearings.

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