Irina Petrushova
Encyclopedia
Irina Petrushova is a Kazakh
journalist, founder and editor-in-chief of the defunct Respublika
weekly.
Founded in 2000, Respublika focused on covering business and economic issues in Kazakhstan, and frequently published stories highly critical of president Nursultan Nazarbayev
's regime. The paper wrote about financial scandals and rampant nepotism
and cronyism
, including an exposé
which revealed that Nazarbayev has stashed US$1 billion of the state's oil revenues in a Swiss bank account. Because of this, Petrusheva was exposed to intimidation and threats, and the papers' offices were firebombed and burned to the ground.
In recognition of her work, Petrushova was awarded the CPJ International Press Freedom Award in 2002. That same year Petrushova permanently left the country and moved to Moscow
where she edits the Assandi Times, a publications which has reported extensively on the United States Department of Justice
investigation into allegations that president Nazarbayev and his allies had accepted US$78 million in bribes from American oil companies in 2000.
In April 2005 Petrushova was briefly detained in Volokolamsk
near Moscow in Russia at the request of Kazakh authorities who have sought her detention on charges of tax evasion
and breaking Kazakh citizenship laws. She was released a few days later. She had also been detained on the same charges in St. Petersburg in 2004.
Repusblika was eventually closed down by the authorities in May 2005.
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...
journalist, founder and editor-in-chief of the defunct Respublika
Respublika (Kazakh newspaper)
Respublika is a Kazakh newspaper frequently critical of the government, which was ordered to closure in May 2005 by the Ministry of Culture, Information and Sports....
weekly.
Founded in 2000, Respublika focused on covering business and economic issues in Kazakhstan, and frequently published stories highly critical of president Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev has served as the President of Kazakhstan since the nation received its independence in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union...
's regime. The paper wrote about financial scandals and rampant 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 cronyism
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
, including an exposé
Expose
Expose, exposé, or exposed may refer to:-Technology:* Exposé , a window management tool for Mac OS X** Exposé clone, computer software which mimics the Mac OS X feature-Music:...
which revealed that Nazarbayev has stashed US$1 billion of the state's oil revenues in a Swiss bank account. Because of this, Petrusheva was exposed to intimidation and threats, and the papers' offices were firebombed and burned to the ground.
In recognition of her work, Petrushova was awarded the CPJ International Press Freedom Award in 2002. That same year Petrushova permanently left the country and moved to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
where she edits the Assandi Times, a publications which has reported extensively on the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
investigation into allegations that president Nazarbayev and his allies had accepted US$78 million in bribes from American oil companies in 2000.
In April 2005 Petrushova was briefly detained in Volokolamsk
Volokolamsk
Volokolamsk is a town and the administrative center of Volokolamsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, located on the Gorodenka River, not far from its confluence with the Lama River, northwest of Moscow. Population: -History:...
near Moscow in Russia at the request of Kazakh authorities who have sought her detention on charges of 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 breaking Kazakh citizenship laws. She was released a few days later. She had also been detained on the same charges in St. Petersburg in 2004.
Repusblika was eventually closed down by the authorities in May 2005.