September 11, 2009 By James Kimer

Kazakhstan’s Political Prisoner #1

zhovtis091109.jpgBob has written a few posts here and there about the Kazakhstani human rights activist Yevgeny Zhovtis, who was recently imprisoned following a rapid show trial.  The ordeal is catching the attention of some serious regional players, many of whom see it as the definitive proof that the country is not prepared to take on the chairmanship of the OSCE next year (if this privilege is somehow revoked, it would represent one giant leap backward for the country’s reputation).