Akezhan Kazhegeldin
Encyclopedia
Akezhan Kazhegeldinov served as the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
until he resigned in October 1997, ostensibly for health reasons, though many saw it as an act protesting authoritarianism
in Kazakhstan
. He now heads the Republic People's Party of Kazakhstan, but lives in the West
in exile
. Adam Albion of Radio Free Europe
characterized Kazhegeldin's efforts at democratizing Kazakhstan
as "defiant, confrontational, and openly scornful of the idea" that Nursultan Nazarbaev, the President of Kazakhstan
, "will ever share power willingly."
Digital Freedom Foundation credits Kazhegeldinov's Prime Ministership with establishing a "stable currency
, bank system, and privatization
programs that led to growth. He worked at attracting foreign investment, and helped to lay groundwork for a stock market
."
In 1998 he was elected President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan.
The publishing of his book, Kazakhstan: The Right to Choose, led to a political rift with President Nazarbayev. The rift widened when Kazhegeldinov's 21st Century Freedom Foundation sponsored amendments to the constitution
regarding free elections. He has since been barred from participating in presidential elections because he participated in an unsanctioned demonstration, "an administrative offense." In April 1998, after he had left the country, the government
charged him with tax evasion
and illegally buying real estate
in Belgium
. He denies the charges and said they were motivated by politics
.
Kazhegeldin has accused President Nazarbaev of authoritarianism, nepotism
, and indifference to violations of human rights
.
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
-Chairmen of the Council of People's Commissars:*Viktor Radus-Zenkovich *Mukhamedkhafiy Murzagaliyev *Saken Seyfullin *Nygmet Nurmakov...
until he resigned in October 1997, ostensibly for health reasons, though many saw it as an act protesting authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
. He now heads the Republic People's Party of Kazakhstan, but lives in the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
in exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
. Adam Albion of Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
characterized Kazhegeldin's efforts at democratizing Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
as "defiant, confrontational, and openly scornful of the idea" that Nursultan Nazarbaev, the President of Kazakhstan
President of Kazakhstan
President of Kazakhstan is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Kazakhstan. The authorities of this position are described in special section of Constitution of Kazakhstan....
, "will ever share power willingly."
Digital Freedom Foundation credits Kazhegeldinov's Prime Ministership with establishing a "stable currency
Currency
In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...
, bank system, and privatization
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
programs that led to growth. He worked at attracting foreign investment, and helped to lay groundwork for a stock market
Stock market
A stock market or equity market is a public entity for the trading of company stock and derivatives at an agreed price; these are securities listed on a stock exchange as well as those only traded privately.The size of the world stock market was estimated at about $36.6 trillion...
."
In 1998 he was elected President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan.
The publishing of his book, Kazakhstan: The Right to Choose, led to a political rift with President Nazarbayev. The rift widened when Kazhegeldinov's 21st Century Freedom Foundation sponsored amendments to the constitution
Constitution of Kazakhstan
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the highest law of Kazakhstan, as stated in Article 4. The Constitution was approved by referendum on 30 August 1995.-Preamble:...
regarding free elections. He has since been barred from participating in presidential elections because he participated in an unsanctioned demonstration, "an administrative offense." In April 1998, after he had left the country, the government
Government of Kazakhstan
The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan oversees a presidential republic. The President of Kazakhstan, currently Nursultan Nazarbayev, is head of state and nominates the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government...
charged him with tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
and illegally buying real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He denies the charges and said they were motivated by politics
Politics of Kazakhstan
The politics of Kazakhstan takes place in the framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Kazakhstan is head of state and nominates the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government...
.
Kazhegeldin has accused President Nazarbaev of authoritarianism, nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
, and indifference to violations of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
.