Kazakh Opposition Party Denied Registration

(RFE/RL) 20 February 2006 -- Kazakhstan's Justice Ministry has denied registration of the opposition Alga (Onward) party.

The deputy chairman of the ministry's registration service committee, Talgat Manaev, told Interfax-Kazakhstan today that the committee questioned the authenticity of the submitted lists of party members.

Under Kazakh legislation, parties must gather at least 50,000 members in order to gain registration. The Alga party said in a statement today that it is planning to appeal in the Supreme Court against the decision.

The movement is being set up by members of the unregistered Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan party.

Another opposition party, the Naghyz Ak Zhol (True Bright Path), is also seeking registration with the Justice Ministry.

(Interfax-Kazakhstan)