U.S. Embassy Concerned Over Arrest Of Kazakh Opposition Politician
Source: RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service: 15 march 2022
NUR-SULTAN -- The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan has expressed concern over the recent arrest of leading opposition figure Zhanbolat Mamai, who was placed in pretrial detention for insulting law enforcement officers and distributing "false information," charges many in Kazakhstan have called politically motivated.
The U.S. Embassy in Nur-Sultan tweeted on March 15 that "respecting free speech and allowing peaceful assembly is fundamental to a functioning democracy."
Mamai has been known for his harsh criticism of the nation's authoritarian government.
"We urge the Government of Kazakhstan to allow all citizens to peacefully express their opinions and concerns without fear of arrest or reprisal," the embassy said.
A court in Almaty ruled a day earlier that Mamai can be held in pretrial election for at least two months.