President Nazarbayev’s former son-in-law Aliyev 15 May pledged to testify against him and senior officials in ongoing U.S. probe into bribe-paying by U.S. oil firms. Govt banned oil product exports 19 May in effort to contain rising fuel costs. In first official foreign visit, Russian Premier Medvedev discussed energy, bilateral ties in Astana 22 May. RFE/RL claimed 20 May website blocked by govt since 11 Apr.

Govt announced wheat export ban (not flour) 15 Apr to stave off shortages; move raised supply concerns in neighbouring republics. Free-trade zone agreed with Uzbekistan 22 Apr. President Nazarbayev’s former son-in-law Aliyev, following 26 March sentence in absentia for coup plot, released further evidence of alleged corruption of top officials.

Military court 26 March sentenced in absentia President Nazarbayev’s former son-in-law Rakhat Aliyev 20 years for coup plot. Astana court 5 March banned Islamic Party of Turkestan (formerly Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, IMU), claiming terrorist organisation.

President Nazarbayev announced major economic reforms in annual address 6 Feb. Astana court ordered closure of independent Law and Justice newspaper 14 Feb due to “registration irregularities”; newspaper owner claimed decision politically motivated. Several opposition parties discussed uniting under National Coalition for Democratic Reforms.

Former son-in-law of President Nazarbayev, Rakhat Aliev, sentenced in absentia 15 Jan to 20 years on multiple charges, including corruption and kidnapping. Trial of 15 on terrorism charges began Shymkent 16 Jan.

FM Marat Tazhin said 2010 OSCE chairmanship for Kazakhstan, first for former Soviet country, would spark domestic reforms – regional experts sceptical. Major new pipeline deal signed with Russia, Turkmenistan 20 December (see Turkmenistan).

4 weeklies refused to publish October Rakhat Aliev interview accusing President Nursultan Nazarbaev of ordering February 2006 murder of opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbaev. Political analyst Nurlan Alimbekov forcefully admitted to psychiatric clinic 21 November after August detention for insulting government. Leaked audio tapes point to corruption in presidential Nur-Otan party; government denied authenticity. Astana agreed to continue to cooperate with OSCE during elections. OSCE announced Kazakhstan to assume chairmanship 2010, 30 November.

Former son-in-law of President Nazarbayev, Rakhat Aliev, accused him of ordering 2006 murder of opposition leader Sarsenbayev. Earlier in month officials suggested remains of 1 of 2 missing Nurbank executives, over which Aliev implicated, found. OSCE ministers due to decide 29-30 November on Kazakhstan bid for chairmanship.

New parliament, made up exclusively of presidential Nur Otan party members, unanimously re-endorsed PM Karim Masimov 2 September. President Nazarbaev told assembly country in new phase of democratic development 3 September. Visiting OSCE delegation members expressed concerns over implications of mono-party chamber; decision on Astana’s OSCE chairmanship bid due November. Writer Nurlan Alimbekov reportedly underwent psychiatric evaluation in detention after August arrest by National Security Committee for emails allegedly slurring president.

Presidential party Nur Otan won every contested seat in first Kazakh parliamentary poll to count votes on party, not individual basis 18 August. OSCE observers reported increased electoral violations. Trial began of 30 Hizb-ut-Tahrir members arrested December 2006 on religious hatred charges. Austrian court blocked extradition of Rakhat Aliyev, Nazarbayev’s son-in-law wanted on kidnapping and fraud charges, citing no guarantee of fair trial.