Trial of opposition leader Kozlov for inciting social discord, attempting to overthrow constitutional order during Dec 2011 violence in Janaozen began 16 Aug. During security operation near Almaty 17 Aug police killed 9 suspected terrorists. Court 6, 10, 15 Aug jailed 15 on terrorism charges in troubled NW. Kazakh journalist beaten 8 Aug by unknown assailants in Astana.

Security forces deployed 25 July to Janaozen to prevent “possible disorders” after reports of possible new mass protests demanding release of relatives jailed over Dec 2011 violence; authorities 3 July released dissident theatre director Bolat Atabaev, leading youth activist Zhanbolat Mamay after June arrest for “inciting social hatred”; UN Human Rights chief Pillay 12 July urged independent international investigation into violence. In Almaty: 10 July explosion in house killed 8, police said case terrorism- related; gunmen 28 July killed 2 police officers; 6 suspects killed 30 July in shootout with police.

President Nazarbyev 1 June called murder of 14 border guards, forest ranger on Chinese border “terrorist act”; surviving guard reportedly confessed guilt, said killings reaction to mistreatment; border guard head General Myrzaliev 13 June resigned over incident. Court 4 June jailed 13 over Dec 2011 Janaozen violence; authorities 15 June arrested dissident theatre director Bolat Atabaev, leading youth activist Zhanbolat Mamay for “inciting social hatred” during Janaozen riots. Police 24 June reported killing 2 suspects in Aqtobe wanted over killing of police officer. Military participated in 9-14 June joint-SCO drills (see Tajikistan), 18- 29 June exercise with U.S. forces (see Kyrgyzstan).

Kyrgyz President Atambaev 10 May began 2 day visit to discuss bilateral issues with President Nazarbaev, PM Masimov. Ex-prison warden 17 May sentenced to 5 years jail in connection with Dec 2011 Janaozen violence; court 23 May sentenced 11 in Aktau for Shetpe riot sparked by Janaozen violence, 6 later amnestied; 5 police 28 May sentenced to 5-7 years for “abuse of power” during Janaozen violence. Copper mine workers 7 May ended 2 day strike after salaries doubled; gold mine workers 18 May began strike over salaries; large protest 19 May in Temirtau organised by metallurgic workers trade union.

Court 9 April jailed 5 in Taraz in connection with Nov suicide blast; 42 jailed 19 April in Atyrau on terrorism charges. Following torture claims, Human Rights Watch 23 April called for suspension of trial of 37 accused of involvement in Dec 2011 violence in Janaozen; hundreds demonstrated 28 April in Almaty against govt, trial. 2 prominent reform activists 17 April barred from travelling abroad, attending meeting with European Parliament. Defence Ministry 16 April announced plans to launch first domestically produced navy vessel.

Trial of 37 people accused of Dec 2011 violence in western town Janaozen began 27 March; hundreds 24 March attended rally in Almaty to commemorate violence; 3 Algha party oil workers in W Kazakhstan 10 March released on probation following Aug arrest. Almaty court 19 March extended pretrial detention of opposition Algha party leader Vladimir Kozlov, prominent opposition activist Serik Saparghali till late April following Jan arrest. Court 26 March began trial of 47 suspects on terrorism charges, involvement in Oct bombings in Atyrau. Authorities 28 March reportedly thwarted series of “terrorist” attacks in Almaty linked to opposition leader Mukhtar Ablyazov.

Some 1,000 anti-govt protesters 25 Feb staged unsanctioned rally in Almaty calling for political reform; govt detained key opposition leaders. Four more leaders of striking oil workers arrested 17 Feb on charges of inciting social unrest during Janaozen violence; over 100 currently being held. Following Jan arrest of unregistered opposition Algha party leader Vladimir Kozlov over Janaozen violence, further party leaders 7 Feb summoned to face National Security Committee. European Parliament 14 Feb condemned authorities’ use of lethal force in Janaozen, called for end to arrests. Opposition politicians and rights activists mid-month announced creation of international committee to defend victims of shootings in Janaozen. Current and former Janaozen mayors Orak Sarbopeyev and Zhalgas Babakhanov both detained during month on suspicion of embezzling state funds. Energy sector strikes over pay and conditions continue in West. Group of suspected religious extremists arrested 4 Feb in NW city Oral. 5 men jailed 5-13 years on terrorism charges in NW city Aqtobe 21 Feb, over July 2011 bombing. Prominent rights activist Yevgeny Zhovtis, jailed in 2009, and opposition activist Yermek Narymbaev, jailed 2010, both granted amnesty 9 Feb.

President Nazarbaev’s Nur Otan party won 80.7% of votes in 15 Jan parliamentary elections; pro-govt Ak Zholand Communist People’s Party received 7.47% and 7.19% respectively, gaining entry to parliament for first time. OSCE said election failed to meet “fundamental principles of democratic elections”. Nazarbaev vetoed Constitutional Council decision to cancel polls in western town Janaozen due to Dec deadly unrest and state of emergency, saying it would limit citizens’ rights; 4 Jan extended Janaozen state of emergency to 31 Jan. Some 200 opposition Azat party activists, supporters rallied in Almaty 17 Jan to protest election results; leaders fined for holding unsanctioned public gathering. Security services 23 Jan searched Almaty office of unregistered Algha party and homes of party leader Vladimir Kozlov and activists, arrested Kozlov and independent newspaper editor; govt 25 Jan announced they and 1 other opposition figure facing prosecution for “inciting violence” in Janaozen; 4 policemen to be charged with opening fire on protesters. Opposition 24 Jan renewed call for govt to halt “political repression”. Several hundred opposition activists 28 Jan protested against Nazarbaev, election results in Almaty; 3 OSDP party officials later handed jail sentences, 1 fined for organising rally.

At least 15 people killed, 100 injured, around 40 buildings burned down 16 Dec as crowd including sacked oil workers clashed with govt forces in western town Janaozen following 6-month strike. Authorities 17 Dec declared state of emergency, curfew in Janaozen, accused “hooligans” of organising mass disorder, said police fired in self-defence. Phone, internet, and mobile connections into town temporarily cut off. Local residents and oil workers 17-18 Dec rallied in Shetpe and regional capital Aktau against police use of force. 16 people arrested over 16 Dec violence, which marks growing instability in west, increasing social tensions, state confusion. Eyewitnesses, opposition activitists allege 16 Dec casualties much higher, reports of mass arrests and torture. President Nazarbayev visited region 22 Dec, sacked senior company executives, regional governor and son-in-law Timur Kulibayev, though move considered unlikely to affect latter’s political prominence. Prosecutor-general 22 Dec invited UN to take part in investigations into clashes, 29 Dec announced criminal investigation into police actions. In separate developments, security services’ response to armed jihadist attacks provoking questions about state’s ability to handle security challenges. 5 members of Islamist group Jund al-Khilafah and 2 members of elite police force killed 3 Dec in operations in southern Boraldai village; militants believed responsible for killing of 2 police 8 Nov. Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) members 20 Dec agreed establishment of military facilities in member states by outside countries needs approval of all CSTO members.

Further concerns over security as terrorist attacks continued. Previously unknown Islamist group Jund al-Khilafah claimed responsibility for 31 Oct bombings in western city Atyrau; Atyrau prosecutor’s office 7 Nov announced detention of 3 Jund al-Khilafah members. 2 police officers shot dead 8 Nov in Almaty by unidentified assailants. Suspected Islamist 12 Nov killed 7 people, including 5 security forces, then shot himself in southern city Taraz. Jund al-Khilafah claimed responsibility; 6 suspected group members including leader arrested 30 Nov. U.S. embassy 18 Nov confirmed Peace Corps volunteers to leave country due to insecurity. President Nazarbaev 16 Nov dissolved lower house of parliament, called early parliamentary elections for mid Jan, after 53 out of 107 MPs called for body to be dissolved, replaced with multiparty legislature. Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan 18 Nov signed economic union agreement in Moscow.