Kazakh Oppositionist's Slaying Headed To Court

Mourners for Altynbek Sarsenbaev in the capital in February (RFE/RL) June 1, 2006 -- The murder case of Kazakh opposition politician Altynbek Sarsenbaev has been sent to a regional court in the south of the country, Almaty.

Judge Abdrashit Zhukenov said today that the launch date for the public trial will be set in the next two weeks.

Sarsenbaev, who co-chaired the Nagyz Ak Zhol party, was found fatally shot along with his bodyguard and driver on Almaty's outskirts in February.

Yerzhan Utembaev, who was Senate administration chief at the time, is charged with ordering the assassination of Sarsenbev.

Several members of the Kazakh National Security Committee have been charged with carrying out the slayings.

(compiled from agency reports)