Mukhtar Ablyazov, ex-Head of Kazakhstan-based BTA Bank, is among those charged with inciting deadly social unrest in Zhanaozen town in the West of Kazakhstan last December, Newskaz.ru reports, citing Ms. Aliya Turusbekova, spouse of the arrested Alga opposition party activist Vladimir Kozlov [who is also among those accused of inciting the unrest] as saying.

The mass unrest in Zhanaozen resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people. In January General Prosecutor Askhat Daulbayev stated that one of the causes of the mass unrest had been the efforts of a group of people that were encouraging the dismissed oilmen to keep up the actions of protest.

According to Ms. Turusbekova, opposition leader Vladimir Kozlov, ex-banker Ablyazov and opposition leader Muratbek Ketebayev have been charged with running a criminal group [that allegedly contributed to the mass unrest in Zhanaozen].

According to the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan, undermining of the state regime is punished with a prison term of up to 7 years.

Kazakhstan law enforcement bodies have declined to comment on the information.

According to Newskaz.ru, 46 criminal cases have been initiated in Kazakhstan by a special prosecutor against Mukhtar Ablyazov who is charged with siphoning off over $5 billion out of BTA Bank.