Nazarbayev aware of 'roots' of Zhanaozen clashes

Nursultan Nazarbayev talked about Zhanaozen clashes at the meeting in Astana on December 26, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the President’s official website. “We were challenged this anniversary year. The purpose was in casting a bone in our community: social, international, inter-religious, etc. The investigation is held to define both reasons and instigators of these events. We know that organized criminal groups are behind them; they were dividing money and had to cover their ‘tails’ using the fires in major buildings. We will find out all the details. We know of the ‘routs’ coming from abroad; we are aware of the disruptive work performed in the country. The General Prosecution along with other authorities have to hold a very detailed investigation,” the President said. Earlier Tengrinews.kz English reported that Nursultan Nazarbayev, speaking of Zhanaozen events, stated that officials and top-management of Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund have been irresponsible, failing to tackle labor conflicts in the oil-producing Mangistau region. On December 26 Umirzak Shukeev was appointed a new head of Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. Timur Kulibayev had submitted his resignation letter following the unrest.