Kazakh Opposition Party Under Pressure

Vladimir Kozlov, leader of the unregistered opposition party Algha

Leaders of Kazakhstan's unregistered opposition Algha (Forward) party have been summoned to face the National Security Committee.

The leader of Algha's branch in southern Qyzyl-Orda region, Mukhit Nurmakhan, told RFE/RL that two committee officers visited Algha offices in the city of Qyzyl-Orda on February 7, handed subpoenas to him and three associates, and presented an order to impound the party's equipment.

He said no explanation was given. No comment from the National Security Committee was available.

Leaders of Algha branches in two northern regions, Petropavel and Kokshetau, say they were also summoned by the National Security Committee.

Algha leader Vladimir Kozlov in January was ordered detained for two months pending trial on charges of fomenting social hatred in the western town of Zhanaozen, where at least 16 people were killed in clashes between oil workers and police in December.

Compiled from agency reports