The truth about Zhanbolat Mamay: who is behind the oppositionist?
The former people's communists (now the NPK), the fugitive oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov, the head of the failed El Tiregi party Nurzhan Altayev and many others suggested writing off the debts. Now this hackneyed topic is exploited by Zhanbolat Mamay, the leader of the so-called unregistered Democratic Party, which is essentially a group of people that does not have a clear political agenda and conducts its activities from time to time.
About a week ago, his supporters held a protest near the National Bank, demanding a credit amnesty.
However, they did not find support among the Kazakhs. In social networks, a wave of indignation poured out on the protesters.
- You had to think before taking loans, - commentators noted.
Everyone is well aware that Mamay is against the foundations of a market economy. In any developed country, he would be laughed at, because it is a completely wild idea that undermines the values of the civilized world. You do not need to be an economist or a financier to understand that someone will have to pay for loans that are hanging as a dead weight. Problem borrowers can be saved by other taxpayers. The credit amnesty can be hung on banks, but it will be the last nail in the coffin of the domestic financial system.
Zhanbolat Mamay positions himself as the only real oppositionist in the country. However, in fact, he is clearly a dependent figure, accustomed to serving someone else's interests. This is eloquently evidenced by his variegated biography.
His political "career" began in 2007. At that time Mamay was the head of the club "Spirit and language". The organization was characterized as ultra-radical. Its founder is a famous poet and writer, ex-deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Shakhanov.
Mamay thanks to Shakhanov developed as a journalist and public activist. Shakhanov sought the release of Mamay when he messed the things up in Zhanaozen. Until recently, Mamay called Shakhanov his mentor and teacher. However, in 2019, Zhanbolat suddenly forgot about it and called Shakhanov "a sycophant of the power". Though there was no reason for that, it just seemed to Mamay that Shakhanov had caved in under the new president.
The reason of betraying his supporter is that Mamay realized that Shakhanov was losing ground due to his already advanced age. Moreover, having substituted his mentor, the activist killed two birds with one stone. First, he presented himself as an oppositionist fighting for democratic principles. And, secondly, the authorities have used him to eliminate opponents.
However, in 2010, Mamay was suspected of a double game. He twice failed to appear at the protests announced by himself.
In 2010, we gathered a youth meeting. I supported Mamay, flew with him to Astana to meet with the Minister of Education. We had a very tough conversation and as a result, Mamay retreated, he simply chickened out. He explained his decision as: "Well, if we proceed, we will be arrested. And what is the ultimate goal?". Then he began to accuse Shakhanov that he would not come to the square, even if we did" wrote his former colleague Ulan Shamshet, member of the "Antiheptyl" group, which protested against the launch of heptyl-fueled missiles from the territory of Kazakhstan.
In 2012, after the events in Zhanaozen, Zhanbolat Mamay and a known director and public figure Bolat Atabaev, were prosecuted under the articles "Call to overthrow the constitutional order" and "Incitement of social discord." But in July, all charges against Mamay were dropped in connection with active repentance. He was transferred from the accused to the witness.
The secret of the activist's exceptional luck is simple: he carries out the orders of those who in power. He joins the ranks of the opposition, Mamay obtains incriminating information, collects documents that could be used against dissidents.
In 2017, Mamay again came to the attention of the security forces. This time it was about the legalization of funds obtained by criminal means. The activist received 110 thousand dollars from the fugitive swindler Mukhtar Ablyazov, convicted in absentia in Kazakhstan for organizing the murder of the head of BTA Bank Yerzhan Tatishev, as well as for stealing money from this bank. The money was intended to support the Tribuna newspaper, of which Mamay was the editor-in-chief at that time. With these funds, he bought a luxurious cottage and made expensive renovations in it. But the journalists of the Tribuna did not see a penny. Moreover, the future leader of the Democratic Party never paid their salaries.
Meanwhile, the second attempt to send Mamay to jail by the security forces also succeeded only partially. Ex-Deputy Prime Minister, former Secretary of the Security Council Tulegen Zhukeyev, who worked for a long time in government agencies, stood up for him. The Secretary of the Security Council is an official appointed and dismissed by the President in agreement with the President of the Security Council, to whom he is directly subordinate and accountable. True, the punishment for Mamay was nevertheless appointed. Considering that by that time all the main players from the opposition had already been eliminated, the authorities had to give him 2.5 years of restriction of freedom. Mamay used this fact to strengthen his position, creating a halo of victim around him.
At the same time, he sold his benefactor, Mukhtar Ablyazov, with giblets, testifying against him. After that, they parted ways. The ex-banker even dedicated one of the live broadcasts to Mamay, telling about his connections with the authorities.
We recently demanded to stop the repression of Muslims in China: Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Dungans. We said that China is pursuing a policy of assimilation, does not give people the opportunity to believe in their religion, to learn their ethnic language. And now Mamay suggests Singaporean model, which abandons the creation of enclaves. Says that they don't need any languages, ethnic language is a prerogative for elective choice" Mukhtar Ablyazov stated on one of the broadcasts about "democracy from Mamay", who decided to coerce the Kazakh Dungans.
By the way, the well-known social activist Serikzhan Bilyash, who advocates for the rights of Xinjiang Muslims, also has a low opinion of Mamay.
He is a homebrew government clown created to show the West that we have a democracy. He and people like him, who carry out other people's orders and tasks, do nothing except fooling the people", he said in an interview with another oppositionist Yerzhan Turgumbay.
Shortly Mamay distinguished himself again. The Tribuna newspaper and its observer Denis Krivosheev lost the court at the suit of a businessman from Karagandy. By a court decision, they had to pay him 5 million tenge. According to Krivosheev, he collected his part of the debt. But Inga Imanbai begged for this money for the next issue of the newspaper, promising to return everything as soon as sales went. As a result, Krivosheev had to collect the entire amount again. Nobody returned the debt to the journalist. A big lover of easy money Mamay, for whom shaking the colleagues down for money is a common thing, did not deign to return the debt to the journalist.
After 2 years, Mamay, despite the injunction to work as a journalist, released the documentary film "Zulmat", which was shown in one of the most prestigious cinemas in Almaty. The film launch was covered by all leading state media. It was obvious that the Kazakh authorities were involved in the creation and distribution of the film.
Later, during the presidential elections of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhanbolat Mamay, instead of supporting his former opposition comrade self-nominated Amirzhan Kosanov, began to urge people to boycott the elections and come out to the squares, again to please the authorities.
Zhukeyev and Mamay were silent during the elections and are now making their careers on the anti-Kosanov theme. Mr. Zhukeyev, where were you with your protege when I took part in the defining elections? These oppositionists, who took my votes, denigrating me! It seems that they all worked against me into the hands of the authorities. Maybe they were paid, I don't know" wrote afterwards Amirzhan Kosanov, who received 16% of the votes.
Two months later, journalist, opposition figure, member of the Politburo of the National Social Democratic Party Yermurat Bapi proposed Zhanbolat Mamay's candidacy for the post of head of the political organization. However, members of the NSDP did not support him, being suspicious of the activist, who, in the opinion of the majority, worked for the current government.
An angry Mamay dragged Bapi into a "muddy" adventure. He put him in touch with a fugitive criminal, the head of an organized criminal group, ex-akim of the Atyrau region, Bergey Ryskaliev, to conclude a deal to purchase the NSDP. It ended sadly: a letter got on the social network, not without Mamay's help, from which it became clear what was the subject of bargaining. As a result, Ermurat Bapi was expelled from the party in disgrace. This was a serious blow to the NSDP, which at that time was the last island of opposition in the country. The party could no longer recover from this. The people's confidence was undermined.
Then a month later Zhanbolat Mamay and the Tulegen Zhukeyev announced the creation of the "Democratic Party of Kazakhstan". But they did not receive support - they failed to register DPК due to the small number of supporters.
In year 2020 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan attempted to intercede for Mamay.
Our source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said that among the main demands of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan was to include in the resolution a mention that the party of Mamay the "Democratic Party of Kazakhstan" were not given the opportunity to register in 2020. Conduct a general meeting of the party. This point was lobbied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. And he was helped by the ambassador of the European Union and the Latvian deputy Ameriks. How an opposition party can be advertised and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan is a dubious moment. How much of oppositionist is left in Mamay when the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan personally recommends him, promotes him through his lobbyists?" commented a close ally of Mukhtar Ablyazov, head of the Open World Foundation, Lyudmila Kozlovskaya.
At the same time, Mamay began to act as the organizer of numerous rallies. Moreover, as noted by other oppositionists, the police were loyal to him: the activist was not detained for a long time, as well as his supporters. The other protesters such as the members of the DCK party could not even dream of such a thing.
It is interesting that in a number of cases Mamay chose the "Chinese threat" as the topic of the rallies. There is no truth under his feigned anti-Chinese rhetoric. Mamay did not go beyond shouting and slogans "Democrat". During all this time, he did not meet with any of the ethnic Kazakhs who got out of the notorious re-education camps in the XUAR and held more than 220 protests near the PRC consulate in Almaty. He didn't even try to help them in any way. It is possible that in this case "an activist" calling himself a national patriot is already serving some pressure groups in Russia, which looks askance at the attempts of China to expand its economic presence in neighboring countries. For Mamay, the main thing is money, in pursuit of which he does not disdain anything and is even ready to trade in national interests.
However, as soon as the anti-China protests subside, Mamay immediately adopted a new attitude. He returned to the old slogans about the struggle for democracy but the situation has changed recently. When it became clear that no one had any more confidence in Mamay, the attitude of the security officials towards him changed. At the last meeting, they even tried to detain the boozer, albeit somehow sluggishly.
It is quite possible that the interview of another oppositionist, businessman Barlyk Mendigaziev played a role in cooling the authorities towards Mamay.
As Mendygaziev said, Ryskaliev finances Mamay and his fake Democratic Party, in addition to the authorities.
Everything was revealed when the activist organized a meeting between Mendigaziev and Ryskaliev. According to the businessman, after a conversation with the ex-akim, he realized that Mamay was working for the authorities and was another project. Mendigaziev summoned Mamay to an open debate in order to publicly expose him. But Zhanbolat, as always cowardly refused, realizing what threatens him.
After this interview, Bapi decided that he would have to "rethink" his attitude towards Mamay.
I completely trusted Zhanbolat, and did he hide from me that he had jumped under Ryskaliev's wing?" Bapi said.
All these betrayals show that Zhanbolat Mamay is a puppet of the authorities, as well as other players at home and abroad. His main goal is to discredit the opposition in the eyes of the public. For this, he is rubbed into the credibility of opposition-minded people.
The hypothesis that Mamay is financed by the authorities is also confirmed by the fact that the activist, who neither holds a job nor a business, has a respectable big house in the foothills of Almaty and a private car. In addition, he pays millions of bills for the education of a child at the elite school Tamos Education, in which a year costs from 1.4 to 4.4 million tenge, and also regularly rests abroad.
In addition, Zhanbolat Mamay spends huge sums on constant flights between cities, filming videos and promoting them on social networks.
The first deputy chairman of the Nur Otan party, Bauyrzhan Baibek, also exposed Mamay. He publicly won a court case against an activist who leaked a number of false, defamatory materials on social media. During the trials, Zhanbolat Mamay was never able to present any evidence in his favor. Although he tried to arrange a circus performance from the court, presenting 2 thousand pages for review, allegedly testifying to the violations committed by Baybek when he was mayor of Almaty. In fact, it turned out that all these were rumors collected by him on social networks, as well as links to posts and materials in the media, which were not at all related to the essence of the matter. By the way, after the trial, all these materials were closely studied live by famous bloggers.
Despite the public invitation, Mamay ignored this event and did not take the opportunity to prove his case. As noted by activists, the papers turned out to be a complete profanation.
Mamay's vitality, despite repeated revelations, numerous criminal cases, judicial fiasco, open disregard for the Kazakhstani laws, his confrontation with almost all opposition leaders clearly shows the validity of the conclusions that he is a project of power. Along the way, Mamay became a tool for settling scores with opponents and solving problems for others, including international players. First of all, of course, for the interested circles of Russia, which provides Mamay with considerable financial and organizational assistance.
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Over 40 kulans transported to Ile-Balkhash Reserve to restore species' population
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The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has successfully completed the next stage of the kulan reintroduction as part of the Turan tiger habitat restoration initiative. This month, more than 40 kulans were transported from Altyn Emel National Park to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. In 2022, as part of this initiative, the first 60 kulans were relocated and successfully adapted to their new environment, Kazinform News Agency cites the UNDP Kazakhstan press service.
The kulan disappeared from Kazakhstan in the 1930s. To restore the population of this species, a long-term reintroduction project was implemented in several stages. Between 1953 and 1961, 14 kulans were transported to Barsa-Kelmes Island from the Badkhyz Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan. When their population on the island reached 200, the next stage-moving them to the mainland-began. This is how the kulans ended up in Altyn Emel National Park, where the restored population has become one of the most successful cases in the world regarding the reintroduction of wild odd-toed ungulates and currently represents the largest free-ranging population of kulans.
Today, in South Balkhash, the initiative to reintroduce the Turan tiger is being implemented within the territory of the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve. In this context, extensive efforts are being made to create its food base, including the kulan reintroduction. The project is being implemented by UNDP and the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. As part of the project, in 2022, 60 kulans were transported.
The reintroduction of kulans from Altyn Emel State National Park to the Ile-Balkhash and Altyn Dala reserves is another step in the efforts of the Committee for the Conservation and Restoration of Biodiversity. The clear implementation of all scheduled action plans for the reintroduction of rare animal species, along with the support of our partners-UNDP and the Kazakhstan Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity-creates a robust basis for future environmental initiatives and the country’s achievements in restoring the ecosystem and returning lost biodiversity," noted Daniyar Turgambayev, Chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Reintroduction is not only a process of transportation but also involves diligent post-relocation care and monitoring of the animals. The Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve aims to provide care and feeding for the transported kulans for the next six months before they are released into the wild. In addition, as part of this initiative, three kulans were tagged with telemetry to further study their behavior in the wild.
We are proud that Kazakhstan is becoming an example of successful reintroduction of species on the brink of extinction. It requires joint efforts and accountability from all participants in the process, and we are pleased to cooperate with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan to achieve our common goal-restoration and conservation of the country's unique biological diversity," said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
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By Government decision, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi's mausoleum been placed under state protection
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Museum-reserve "Aziret Sultan" from now on will be under state protection. The corresponding decree was signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.
The famous historical monument mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassaui is the first Kazakhstani site included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and belongs to the unique monuments of medieval architecture.
Taking into account its significance and historical and cultural value, as well as in order to ensure its safety, the Government adopted a resolution to include the museum-reserve ‘Әziret Sultan’ in the list of objects subject to state protection.
According to the document, the security of the object will be ensured by the relevant departments of the internal affairs bodies.
As is known, the mausoleum was erected on the burial place of the Turkic poet and founder of the Sufi order of Yassawiya Khodja Ahmed Yassawi in the city of Turkestan.
The mausoleum consists of eight rooms, which are arranged around the central, largest in the complex hall Kazandyk.
In the period from 1385 to 1405, a complex of structures was built around the mausoleum and now the museum-reserve includes a mosque, palace halls big and small aksarai, a library (kitabkhana) and an economic complex, which includes a well house (kudukkhana), kitchen (askhana), living quarters (hujra) and others.
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Acute respiratory viral infections on the rise in Kazakh capital
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7,100 ARVI cases were recorded in the Kazakh capital over the past week that is 19.5% or 1.2 times more compared the same period of the previous year, deputy head of the Astana sanitary and epidemiological control department Zhanna Praliyeva told a briefing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
She said the results of the 37th week of laboratory research claimed that no flu or COVID-19 cases were detected in patients. It revealed non-influenza respiratory viruses, such as parainfluenza virus type 4 and mixed infection. 173 pregnant women, 3,709 children under 14 years old, and 255 babies under 12 months old were diagnosed with acute respiratory viral infection.
Flu vaccination of high-risk groups, including health workers, children, and elderly people began on September 18. The vaccination campaign is rolled out at 44 healthcare facilities. It takes 14 days after vaccination before an immune response develops and remains for around a year.
Zhanna Praliyeva urged all to wash their hands, cover their cough, minimize close contact with people who may have influenza, wear masks in public places, and avoid crowded places.
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Astana hosts closing ceremony of 5th World Nomad Games
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The closing ceremony of the 5th World Nomad Games featuring a musical performance and words of congratulations from World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan and Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yerbol Myrzabossynov took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan shared that during the five days of the Games he had seen the performances of around 2,500 athletes from 89 countries. The World Nomad Games presented the history and worldview of nomads, a mixture of fascinating sport and entertaining show.
This historic organization demonstrates the world that Kazakhstan has big ambitions to institutionalize traditional sports around the world. Attracting attention on all levels, these historic games show our rich cultural heritage, as was witnessed by the opening ceremony, choice of places, sports facilities and cultural events in great detail. The World Nomad Games, held under FIPS rules, once again proved that our traditional sports are not simply competitions, he said.
Bilal Erdoğan highlighted that the Games are the means for establishing friendship, solidarity and brotherhood. Athletes brought together by the Games remind of the importance of collaboration and sharing a common culture.
For myself, the irreplaceable support of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in holding the Games became one of the key factors of such success. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the President and the entire team, that devoted itself to the holding of the Nomad Games. Each contributed to this sports festival as well as to the history, said Bilal Erdoğan.
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Kazakhstan tops medal standings at end of 5th World Nomad Games
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Team Kazakhstan added 25 more medals at the 5th World Nomad Games to bring their total medal count to 114, including 44 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze ones, before the tournament wraps up, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Team Kazakhstan was represented by a total of 216 athletes in 21 sports at the 5th World Nomad Games.
On Day Six of the Games, Team Kazakhstan won 25 medals, including 11 gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals.
Today, Bakyt Tolay brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Zheti kut stage in the Tenge ilu event.
Kazakhstan’s eagle hunter Serikbek Kuntugan claimed gold in the Kusbegilik final.
Team Kazakhstan won two gold and two bronze medals in the Mangala (Turkish traditional intellectual game) event, with Kundyz Yessipkep claiming the women’s gold and Aigerim Kuanyshbekova - bronze. Bigali Zkiryayev claimed a gold medal in the men’s Mangala event and Azamat Kaidarov - a bronze medal.
Kazakhstan ended up with a silver medal in the Ordo event (Kyrgyz national game). Coming in first was Team Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan was placed third.
Kazakhstan swept the podium in the Kunan baige at the Games, with Amir Serik winning gold, Ansar Arysstanbek hauling silver and Dilnur Nurmukash settling for bronze.
Ansar Arysstanbek brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Alaman baige event. Coming in second was Khamza Amanfeldy of Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan’s Nurel Elessov was placed third.
Kazakhstan’s Serzhan Baktybay won gold in the Top Baige event. Arnat Muratkhan and Zhanbolat Marden of Kazahstan claimed second and third places, respectively.
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Winners of Mereili otbasy national contest honored in Astana
Images | Kazakh Culture and Information Ministry
A solemn ceremony of awarding the winners of the Mereili otbasy national contest took place ahead of the Family Day in Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s congratulation letter addressed to the winners was read out by Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev.
In his letter, President Tokayev highlighted the importance of supporting the institution of family in building Just Kazakhstan.
The President pointed out that the country attaches special attention to this area, as systemic measures are under implementation.
Mereili otbasy is a unique project, that became a tradition. It further promotes the national values of our people. Our shared task is to instill in the younger generation the love for the sacred traditions of our ancestors. Each family can involve in this important mission. There are many dynasties, whose honest work can be a shining example for following, the testament to which is today’s event. The victory of each family in this contest can be regarded with confidence as the achievement of our entire people, reads the congratulatory letter.
Addressing those present, Senate Speaker Ashimbayev noted that the Head of State always stressed the crucial contribution of the family institution to the formation of a new quality of the nation.
President Tokayev pays priority attention to the strengthening of the family institution, protection of motherhood and childhood, promotion of a robust values system in the society. In his address, the Head of State focused on these issues, initiating a set of new social initiatives, aimed at increasing the well-being of our citizens. I’m convinced that all these measures will contribute to greater wellbeing of each Kazakhstani family, said Ashimbayev.
This year’s 11th edition of the Mereili otbasy national contest saw 3,369 applications submitted by families from all regions of the country.
You are the backbone of our nation! You’re making a huge contribution to our country’s prosperity, conservation of our national and family values!, said Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva.
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