FBI might join investigation of Zhanaozen clashes

Kazakhstan Ambassador to the U.S. Yerlan Idrissov does not preclude that experts from the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may take part in the investigation of Zhanaozen events, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports citing the message of Kazakhstan embassy distributed in Washington on Tuesday. “We do not preclude that FBI experts will take part in the investigation in Zhanaozen on an invitation of Kazakhstan government,” the ambassador’s statement writes. Kazakhstan government organized a special trip of popular Kazakhstan bloggers to Zhanaozen as a sign of commitment to transparency and openness. “The old Soviet-style methods are in the past,” the message states. “We have demonstrated our commitment to upholding the rule of law and observance human rights. The bloggers’ trip was organized to help objective observers report on Zhanaozen events online.” Supporters and instigators of the clashes distributed false information in the beginning and “the government worked hard to maintain peace and stay open, just and ready for cooperation,” the message cites Yerlan Idrissov as saying. “Incidents in Zhanaozen became a test of maturity for Kazakhstan and it has passed this test so far,” Kazakhstan Ambassador states. The oil-producing town of Zhanaozen in Mangistau oblast faced a wave of public unrest on December 16. The death toll stands at 16. One person died in the clashes in Shetpe village December 17. The investigation is under way. Curfew restriction has been declared in Zhanaozen.