Kazakh Security Service Warns Against Protests

Kazakh police at an opposition rally in March (RFE/RL) 25 November 2005 -- Kazakhstan's state security service has warned those who may be planning protests ahead of next month's presidential elections that any attempts to destabilize the country will be quote "severely dealt with."

In a statement released late on 24 November, the security service said it had information that opposition groups were preparing young people "from the fringes of society" to engage in "ill-considered" acts ahead of elections.

The statement alleged the opposition was trying to provoke conflicts between authorities and the opposition with the aim of creating grounds to accuse the leadership of undemocratic policies.

The service warned against any actions that were against the interests of the citizens, society, or government of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's opposition has said on several occasions that it would not resort to violence or anti-constitutional activities head of the 4 December presidential election.

(ITAR-TASS)