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on elites close to Nazarbayev, rather than Nazarbayev himself.
Tokayev’s current claims align with information shared with bne IntelliNews by individuals familiar with the matter back in 2022, which pointed to specific persons within Nazarbayev’s family
and among his allies, who were interested in removing Tokayev. They are also consistent with views shared with this publication that Nazarbayev himself was not attempting to usurp Tokayev after having appointed him three years before.
Tokayev, citing investigations by the Prosecutor-General's Office, claimed that a conspiratorial group initiated preparations about six months before the nationwide protests of January 2022. He further
alleged that "extremists, criminal groups, and religious extremists" collaborated to orchestrate a coup – the involvement of criminal groups connected to individuals in Nazarbayev’s family in the unrest was also suggested to bne IntelliNews in 2022. As for moves against religious extremists, 10 members of the banned extremist group Yakyn Inkar were arrested in connection with the January events but there have been no similar actions.
Tokayev also claimed in the interview that he had informed Nazarbayev that the political “hubris” of his close associates had nearly brought about the country's destruction, though he did not specify whom those associates might be. This conversation with Nazarbayev has not previously been disclosed by Tokayev.
As the Bloody January unrest spread, Tokayev issued a shoot-to-kill order to security forces. At least 230 individuals lost their lives in the disorder and mayhem. Tokayev has faced criticism for not living up to his pledge to publicly answer questions about the chapter.
In the interview, Tokayev also suggested that Kazakhstan, which regularly faces criticism for imprisoning journalists and civil and political activists, does not have a single political prisoner.
He claimed that "our legislation does not contain a single decree, a single law, a single regulatory document that provides a basis for prosecuting citizens for their political views".
Georgia's richest man is back in formal politics for the third time
Tornike Mandaria in Tbilisi
To critics, Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s announcement on December 30 that he would become "honourary chairman” of Georgian Dream merely makes explicit the control he has continued to exert over the party he founded.
Ivanishvili’s return to frontline politics is seen both as a move to sidestep European Union criticism of his backroom role, as well as to boost his Georgian Dream party’s chances in this autumn’s general election. But it could also enhance Russia’s already growing influence in the Caucasian country.
In his announcement, Ivanishvili
said that political activity is not in
his character, but the complexity of Georgia's current geopolitical situation has made him step in.
Ivanishvili stated that the opposition is too weak and lacks the resources to keep an eye on the ruling party, so he
had decided to get involved to prevent
it from getting corrupt. He claimed that his aim is not to make the party stronger for elections, but to keep a powerful team from making wrong choices.
He discussed the seven-year objectives of Georgian Dream, stating, "Our aim is to elevate Georgia to the status of a high-
income nation and secure its accession to the European Union by 2030."
Ivanishvili’s latest re-emergence marks his third coming into Georgian politics. In 2011, the billionaire and philanthropist quickly gathered a political coalition around him that unseated President Mikheil Saakashvili's government in 2012.
The official political return of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili could also enhance Russia’s already growing influence in the Caucasian country. / bne IntelliNews
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