NUR-SULTAN -- Kazakhstan is seeking to revoke the title of "elbasy" from former President Nursultan Nazarbaev in the wake of deadly anti-government protests earlier this year that were sparked in part by resentment over the rampant and lingering corruption from his rule.
Erlan Qoshanov, the chairman of parliament's lower chamber, the Mazhilis, told reporters on April 27 that changes to the constitution currently being worked on by a government commission envisaged enshrining Nazarbaev's name as "the founder of independent Kazakhstan," a move that will "annul the law on the first president -- elbasy," which gave Nazarbaev almost limitless power even after his resignation in 2019.
"Then, the status of 'elbasy' will be cancelled.... The first president will be treated as an ex-president, in accordance with the common law on presidents, while his name will be added to the constitution," Qoshanov said.
Nazarbaev, 81, resigned as president in March 2019, picking longtime ally Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev as his successor.
But he retained sweeping powers as "elbasy" and the head of the Security Council. Meanwhile, many of his relatives continued to hold important posts in the government, security agencies, and profitable energy groups.
SEE ALSO: Nazarbaev Attends Public Event In Kazakhstan In First Appearance Since Deadly ProtestsIn January, protests that started over a fuel-price hike spread across Kazakhstan because of discontent over the cronyism that had long plagued the country.
Since then, Toqaev has made several moves to distance himself from his predecessor, including stripping Nazarbaev of the Security Council role and taking it over himself.
The law on the first president guarantees full immunity to Nazarbaev and members of his immediate family.
According to the law, Nazarbaev is a lifetime member of the Constitutional Council, and any attempt "to damage his honor and reputation" is considered a crime.
If the law is annulled, the authorities will have the right to prosecute Nazarbaev's close relatives. Nazaarbaev, however, would still be protected by having his name in the constitution.
Just days after the protests, Nazarbaev's two sons-in-law, Qairat Sharipbaev and Dimash Dosanov, were pushed out of top jobs at two major state companies, QazaqGaz and KazTransOil, respectively.
Though it has never been officially announced, Sharipbaev is widely believed to be married to Nazarbaev's eldest daughter, Darigha. Dosanov is the husband of Nazarbaev's youngest daughter, Alia.
The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Atameken, announced the resignation of its chairman, Timur Kulibaev, who is also Nazarbaev's son-in-law.
In late February, Darigha Nazarbaeva said that she was giving up her parliamentary seat.
Nazarbaev was seen in Turkey on March 8 when he attended a diplomatic forum in Antalya. At the same time, Nazarbaev's once-powerful nephew, Qairat Satybaldy, and his wife were arrested on corruption charges.
Days later, oligarch Qairat Boranbaev, whose daughter used to be married to Nazarbaev's late grandson, was also arrested on corruption charges.
Toqaev has said publicly he wants Nazarbaev's associates to share their wealth with the public by making regular donations to a new charity foundation.