Kazakhstan: Opposition Claims Dariga Nazarbayeva Plotting Power Grab

The foreign bureau of the Kazakh opposition "Dongelek Ustel" has warned about an alleged coup plot, claiming that representatives of "Old Kazakhstan" continue to wield significant influence over the country's domestic politics.

The group has released an extensive appeal to Kazakhstan's people and President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

Dariga's Parallel State

The appeal primarily focuses on Dariga Nazarbayeva and her alleged networks, which the opposition claims are laying the groundwork for a power grab.

According to the document, a "deep state" persists in Kazakhstan, maintaining control over key information and economic sectors even after the January 2022 events.

'Old Kazakhstan' and its representatives continue to occupy key positions in national companies, law enforcement agencies, fake public organizations and controlled media, including social networks. At the center of this network is Dariga Nazarbayeva. She is convinced that the post of President of Kazakhstan belongs to her by right of descent. The attempt to seize power in January 2022 failed due to the mistakes of the conspirators, the cowardice of Karim Massimov and the unreasonableness of her elderly father. Now Dariga Nazarbayeva does not trust either her father or old officials, the appeal says.

The opposition alleges that Nazarbayeva is developing a shadow system funded through commercial enterprises engaged in money laundering.

These funds reportedly support controlled media outlets, "public organizations," and sympathetic experts who promote returning to "Old Kazakhstan."

According to the appeal, Nursultan Nazarbayev's eldest daughter is working to restore power through shadow structures that include:

• Media and advertising market control
• Management through fictitious public organizations
• Influence over law enforcement and government companies

These schemes appeared on the basis of documents that are publicly available. We cannot specifically say that Dariga Nazarbayeva is doing this, but in any case, she is connected to her father and the Nazarbayev clan. Perhaps they are fighting among themselves for assets and for the posts that their people occupy. But all this leads to the destabilization of the country, and the interests of the 'Old Kazakhstan' are becoming increasingly protected. If we talk about the 'New Kazakhstan,' the program that Toqayev proclaimed, this is a fight against the old personnel, the old legacy, today this is not happening. Because the Nazarbayev family's people are sitting in the old posts," said opposition member Serik Medetbekov, who noted that some signatories within Kazakhstan prefer to remain anonymous.

The Company and Organizations

The appeal identifies several companies allegedly involved in these activities, including TOO "3 A&T", DASM Service, Big Idea Group, and 360 Production, which are said to participate in money laundering, propaganda activities, and financing fictitious organizations.

Dariga Nazarbayeva is supported by high-ranking officials, including Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev and Imangali Tasmagambetov. The AMANAT party under her control also plays a key role. President Toqayev mistakenly believes that the AMANAT party is under his control. This is a misconception, as is the belief in the power of the KNB under Massimov, which the January events have disproved,  the appeal states.

Manipulative Instruments

The opposition believes that the media and advertising market remain under Nazarbayeva's control. 

Supposedly, National Media, which controls rating measurements, serves as a tool for manipulating advertising budget distribution.

I think that the sentiment that 'it was better under Nazarbayev' is now strong in Kazakhstan. Because people, by their mentality, by their cognitive abilities, gravitate toward the past. For them, the past represents good times. Like people who grew up in the Soviet Union, they say how good it was there. They no longer remember the queues, or the gangster showdowns, or the lack of social mobility, they have absolutely bright memories. And this will only intensify, Medetbekov added.

Moscow Ties

The appeal alleges that Nazarbayeva is leveraging Russian connections to support her political ambitions and calls for President Toqayev to investigate these activities.

We call on the presidential administration, the government and the parliament to study the schemes of this shadow network and take measures to prevent a coup d'etat. Particular attention is paid to the topic of financing. Authoritative companies registered in Kazakhstan and abroad are believed to serve as instruments for the withdrawal of capital and the maintenance of illegal networks of influence, states the document.

Medetbekov suggests that Toqayev should vet government circles to remove former loyalists from state positions.

A Response

Kemelbek Oishybayev, chair of JSC "Agency 'Khabar'" and the National Media Association, who was mentioned in the opposition's statement, denied any connection to Nazarbayeva:

I am not aware that my name was mentioned in any statements by Dongelek Ustel. I do not know about this NGO. I have never had and do not have any relation to Dariga Nursultanovna. Today, they dropped a clip from one of their videos, where they talk about the activities of the National Media Association, and there I saw that the National Media Association is attributed to Dariga Nursultanovna. But I left the post of vice minister after the January events, in February 2022, and after that I was invited to the National Media Association as chair, the election took place in March 2022. The Association is engaged in the development of the television industry, measuring TV channel ratings, unites advertising agencies and TV channels, a total of 48 organizations, and in no way has any relation to Dariga Nazarbayeva.

Oishybayev explained that the Association operates transparently through an expert council and supervisory board comprising 17 organizations.

And what I saw on the video, I smiled and thought - what nonsense. I don't see any point in taking it seriously or commenting on it because the information there is absolutely untrue, he added.

He further clarified that the organization is funded by its members, including significant channels like "Channel 31", "Astana," "Channel 7", "Khabar," QAZAQSTAN, and others.

This is someone's speculation. This is absolutely untrue. I have never had any relations or communication with Dariga Nazarbayeva. The activities of the association are absolutely transparent, and I do not receive compensation there, Oishybayev concluded.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov