In Kazakhstan, an official organized an attempt on a civil activist
Policemen of Almaty region detained the Head of Panfilov rural district of Talgar region Nurgali Appazov and his driver for firing at a civil activist Galina Arzamasova. The detainees are under investigation under the article “Hooliganism”.
The story of the attack on Arzamasova caused a great resonance. A woman was shot when she went to meet with the Head of rural district. As a result, instead of talking with the Head of administration, Arzamasova ended up in a hospital bed.
A 63-year-old activist from the village of Karabulak, who worked as a teacher for 28 years, is known far beyond the region. Arzamasova regularly criticizes the local executive authorities for the problems that exist in the rural district – water shortages, bad roads, illegal sale of land and so on.
At the beginning of July, Arzamasova posted a video message on Facebook and said that she was attacked:
“We want people in a rich country Kazakhstan to live richly,” said Arzamasova. “We want the order in the village – safety, illuminated streets, roads, sidewalks. It would seem that this is all elementary. But, on the part of the executive bodies, this causes difficulty and protest. Therefore, in 2017, I was beaten twice. The second time, when we complained about poorly laid asphalt, after the meeting I was beaten. There were also two burglary attacks. In addition, extremist literature was planted on me. But, since I am a distinguished teacher of Kazakhstan, it was not possible to attribute extremism to me. And when I went to meet with the new Head of the district, they organized an accident for me. Then they tried to bribe me, offered me land, but I refused.”
The activist said that she met with Appazov and told him about the problems. Appazov, in turn, threatened Arzamasova that she would “answer for her words”.
“In less than two days, they arranged a firework for me, threw a Molotov cocktail and several shots were fired,” the activist said in her video message, demonstrating the cartridges. “However, the investigator has not yet arrived. Apparently, our law enforcement agencies are not interested in pressure of activists.”
And now, after almost two months, there was a new attempt on Arzamasova. Together with four fellow villagers, she went to meet with the Head of the district, Appazov. When the woman went to the village administration, someone shot her. The bullet hit the hip joint.
On August 27, police detained the shooter. It was a 22-year-old resident of Talgar region. The Press service of the Police department of Almaty region also reported that pneumatic weapons were confiscated from the detainee. The fact of shooting is under investigation under the article “Hooliganism”.
By the way, the mayor Appazov said in interview with the radio “Svoboda” [“Liberty”] that he was “not involved in this incident”, as well as in previous attacks on Arzamasova.
“At first she suspected me of the attacks, then – my deputy. Later she came and told me that it was not us who attacked. We have good relations with her, we communicate,” the Head of the village administration told journalists.
Three days later, the Press service of the Regional Police department reported that the Head of Panfilov rural district of Talgar region, Nurgali Appazov, and his driver were detained on the basis of hooliganism with the use of weapons against Galina Arzamasova.
A pre-trial investigation is underway on this fact under the article “Hooliganism committed by a criminal group with the use or attempt to use weapons.
Meanwhile, as the Press service of the administration of Talgar region, Nurgali Appazov was relieved of his post on August 28. Allegedly, the Head of Talgar region checked the information that his subordinate illegally sells land. As a result of the verification, this information was confirmed, and Appazov was dismissed.
It remains to add that, according to sanction of the court, Appazov and his driver were arrested for 1 month.
