Authorities accuse the 30 of belonging to the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir group, and are suspected of trying to recruit new members. They have been charged with membership in an illegal organization and inciting religious discord.
Kazakh National Security Committee spokeswoman Botagoz Ibraeva told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that some of those on trial are leaders of the group.
"Among those facing trial are leaders throughout all the regions, financial managers, and publishers of their literature," Ibraeva said.
Law-enforcement agencies in Central Asia say they usually confiscate Hizb ut-Tahrir's booklets and other literature, which usually call on people to overthrow their government and create an Islamic state in Central Asia.
Hizb ut-Tahrir says it seeks to achieve its aims by nonviolent means.
The group is banned throughout Central Asia, Russia, and in some Western European countries.
(with material from AP, Interfax)
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Kazakh National Security Committee spokeswoman Botagoz Ibraeva told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that some of those on trial are leaders of the group.
"Among those facing trial are leaders throughout all the regions, financial managers, and publishers of their literature," Ibraeva said.
Law-enforcement agencies in Central Asia say they usually confiscate Hizb ut-Tahrir's booklets and other literature, which usually call on people to overthrow their government and create an Islamic state in Central Asia.
Hizb ut-Tahrir says it seeks to achieve its aims by nonviolent means.
The group is banned throughout Central Asia, Russia, and in some Western European countries.
(with material from AP, Interfax)
Who Speaks For Islam?
Who Speaks For Islam?
Young Muslims at a movie theater in Tehran (AFP file photo)
CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUE: On June 13, RFE/RL hosted a roundtable discussion entitled "Who Speaks For Islam?" The event was hosted by U.S. Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes and featured scholars of Islam from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
LISTEN
Listen to the entire briefing (about 2 hours and 15 minutes):Real Audio Windows Media
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A thematic webpage devoted to issues of religious tolerance in RFE/RL's broadcast region and around the globe.
