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Olesya Khalabuzar

Olesya Khalabuzar

General information

General information

Olesya Petrovna Khalabuzar was born on July 4, 1978.

Graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy, Political Science and Psychology of KazNU named after Al-Farabi majoring in political science (2000). In 2002 she completed her postgraduate studies (without defending a dissertation). Second higher education: Moscow State Academy for the Humanities, Faculty of Economics, majoring in Economics, Public Relations (2008).

Diplomas in PR, awards for political PR.

Training of leaders of the country, political parties, personal consultations (since 1998) – without specifying names and titles.

Teaching experience – 10 years:
• 2000-2002 – KazNU named after al-Farabi;
• 2008-2010 – KazUMOiWL, Faculty of International Relations.

She was the Director of the Center for Socio-Political Research, a member of the initiative group for registration of the Alga party, Chairman of the Board of the Republican Public Association Society of Young Professionals (SYP).

Co-organizer of the unregistered National Party of Kazakhstan "Justice – Adildik".

We are non-political, but we are watching the elections

We are non-political, but we are watching the elections

In November 2003, Olesya Khalabuzar registered the Center for Socio-Political Research. This organization paid taxes only three times – in 2010, 2011, 2012. The largest payment barely exceeded 64 thousand tenge.

Khalabuzar was also the Chairman of the Board of the Center for Housing and Local Self-Government, registered in 2003 (taxes have never been paid until now).

What exactly these two organizations did is not completely clear. However, there is an opinion that they were needed by Khalabuzar in order to represent at least some kind of NGO.

The Society of Young Professionals was registered in July 2005. This organization existed on membership fees and grants from international foundations and embassies. The official number of members of the SYP was more than 500 people. The organization was headed by a general assembly of 25 members.

The movement was led by Nurul Rakhimbekov, the executive director was Pavel Morozov (who later also participated in the "For Freedom of the Internet" movement). The SYP did not consider itself a political organization, but only an active cell of civil society. In the description of its activities, the SYP indicated assistance in solving the problem of students and graduates of young professionals.

The SYP set itself the goal of self-identification of this social group and the realization of the social and civic interests of "young professionals". The interests and values of this group can be described as liberal and democratic. The main task of the NGO "SYP" is the establishment of civil control, in which the government will be accountable to society, and citizens will become real participants in all socio-political processes.

On September 30, 2011, Olesya Khalabuzar presented a report to the NGO "Society of Young Professionals of Kazakhstan", which stated:
"We have been observing elections since 2005 in Kazakhstan and abroad. In the last presidential election, we cooperated for the first time with an OSCE observation mission. Our organization fielded more than 1,000 observers at polling stations and collected about a thousand protocols on the results of voting.

Of course, we recorded violations, but we did not publish most of them, because they were promptly eliminated with the Election Monitoring Commission, created from representatives of civil society (N. Yerimbetov) and in direct contact with the Central Election Commission. It has proven to be a very effective structure in preventing election day violations at the polling stations. We invite other countries to take into account our successful experience of the Commission."
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"We have been observing elections since 2005 in Kazakhstan and abroad. In the last presidential election, we cooperated for the first time with an OSCE observation mission. Our organization fielded more than 1,000 observers at polling stations and collected about a thousand protocols on the results of voting.

Of course, we recorded violations, but we did not publish most of them, because they were promptly eliminated with the Election Monitoring Commission, created from representatives of civil society (N. Yerimbetov) and in direct contact with the Central Election Commission. It has proven to be a very effective structure in preventing election day violations at the polling stations. We invite other countries to take into account our successful experience of the Commission."
Khalabuzar noted that observers from their movement conducted surveillance in a free regime, gave interviews to various TV channels and the press, published violations on their websites and social networks.
"The problem arose where it was not expected, namely with the opposition political parties, which, like us, carried out surveillance. We approached them at the end of the electoral process with a request for a protocol of voting results in order to make our parallel counting study more representative. But the representatives of the political parties went home to sleep, and the protocols were to be brought to their parties only in the morning! And we were left alone on the political platform," she said.
“
"The problem arose where it was not expected, namely with the opposition political parties, which, like us, carried out surveillance. We approached them at the end of the electoral process with a request for a protocol of voting results in order to make our parallel counting study more representative. But the representatives of the political parties went home to sleep, and the protocols were to be brought to their parties only in the morning! And we were left alone on the political platform," she said.
According to Khalabuzar, some representatives of the parties did not receive the protocol at all in Western Kazakhstan, they were expelled from the polling stations without voting results, and they also went home.

And "they did nothing, although it was possible to demand non-recognition of the election results in these polling stations."
"This clearly demonstrates that political parties in Kazakhstan do not have political ambitions, are passive, poorly educated and cannot influence the situation in the country," Khalabuzar said in the report.
“
"This clearly demonstrates that political parties in Kazakhstan do not have political ambitions, are passive, poorly educated and cannot influence the situation in the country," Khalabuzar said in the report.
Khalabuzar addressed the OSCE with a recommendation to strengthen educational work with political parties to increase their level of political activity, thus influencing the development of civil society in Kazakhstan.

On the other hand, she called on the ODIHR to cooperate more in Kazakhstan with the non-governmental sector than with political parties "because of their inertness and self-confidence in their own abilities, and hence, as a result, as a result of their ineffectiveness in political modernization."

Lovely people from SYPK

Lovely people from SYPK

In 2005, the media wrote about a curious incident that occurred at the presentation of the SYP, where "young professionals" invited representatives of the youth association "Kakhar". The presentation was held in one of the cafes on the territory of the Atakent exhibition complex with drinks and snacks inevitable for such events.
"Unable to cope with the feelings surging after a certain dose of alcohol, the head of the SYP and part-time director of the National Democratic Institute in Tajikistan, Nurul Rakhimbek, told the Kakharovites present that they are the dregs of society, they are engaged in nonsense and have no influence on state bodies and politics. The Kakharovites, of course, objected that this SYP lives off foreign grants and is ready to sell itself to anyone. After that, one of the leaders of "Kakhar" Nurlan Balgabayev, together with N. Rakhimbek, went out to sort things out.

The "young professionals" won with a score of 1:0. The beaten Balgabayev and Rakhimbek, who had beaten him, returned and continued the banquet. A glass or two – and Balgabayev decided to get even. He got up from his seat and broke Rakhimbek's nose, after which a general brawl began, which was observed by visitors to the exhibition and customers of the cafe," wrote the Informburo resource.
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"Unable to cope with the feelings surging after a certain dose of alcohol, the head of the SYP and part-time director of the National Democratic Institute in Tajikistan, Nurul Rakhimbek, told the Kakharovites present that they are the dregs of society, they are engaged in nonsense and have no influence on state bodies and politics. The Kakharovites, of course, objected that this SYP lives off foreign grants and is ready to sell itself to anyone. After that, one of the leaders of "Kakhar" Nurlan Balgabayev, together with N. Rakhimbek, went out to sort things out.

The "young professionals" won with a score of 1:0. The beaten Balgabayev and Rakhimbek, who had beaten him, returned and continued the banquet. A glass or two – and Balgabayev decided to get even. He got up from his seat and broke Rakhimbek's nose, after which a general brawl began, which was observed by visitors to the exhibition and customers of the cafe," wrote the Informburo resource.
A worthy illustration of the unworthy content hidden under the beautiful sign of those who were going to create democracy.

However, not all was quiet within the SYP itself. The organization began to fall apart after it received a grant from the European Union in the amount of €240,000. The members of the movement managed to receive only the first tranche, after which a split began.

According to the sources, Nurul Rakhimbekov, the chairman of the board of the SYP, quarreled with the members of the board and decided to get rid of them. First of all, from Murat Tungishbayev and Galym Ageleuov, who considered that they also have the right, as members of the board, to participate in the distribution of the funds received.

The grant was allocated to activate youth in the regions of Kazakhstan. At that time, a resource center for youth was already operating in Almaty, but it lasted only three months precisely because of a scandal in the board. There were rumors that a certain Sergey Bondartsev contributed to the collapse of the organization, who seemed to "soldier" Rakhimbekov and set him up for Nurul to lead the organization alone.

As a result, the case went to trial, which was won by Nurul Rakhimbekov, thanks, as they say, to Bondartsev's connections. At the same time, it turned out at the trial, that the remaining 5 million tenge were transferred to Bondartsev's fund and were cashed out.

Already in 2014, Olesya Khalabuzar, the chairman of the board of the SYP, said in an interview with the media that in 2011 a criminal case was opened on the fact of embezzlement of €70,000. Nurul Rakhimbekov was put on the wanted list.

When the ex-head of the SYP was found, "for old services to the organization," the new leadership agreed to peace with him, on the condition of compensation for material damage. After the signing of the settlement agreement, the criminal case was promptly closed, and the investigator stopped communicating with the SYP.

According to Khalabuzar, when they nevertheless managed to get a decision to close the case, they learned that the document contained the fact of compensation for material damage. Which, to put it mildly, was a lie.
"This money was allocated by the European Commission for very good purposes related to corruption, and this corruption occurred within the organization," Khalabuzar said.
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"This money was allocated by the European Commission for very good purposes related to corruption, and this corruption occurred within the organization," Khalabuzar said.
She added that Rakhimbekov hid all the property of the SYP, including computers and office equipment, in Bondartsev's garage, does not get in touch with former like-minded people, but at the same time travels abroad on behalf of the organization as an international observer.

Still, politics...

Still, politics...

In July 2015, Olesya Khalabuzar announced the creation of the United Multinational Party of Kazakhstan "Justice" on the basis of the NGO "Society of Young Professionals of Kazakhstan". According to her, the political association intended to build a society of equal opportunities.
“The charter and program of the party was developed last year, and many well-known experts who understand the need to create a new party participated in this process. I will name those who agreed to have their names announced. These are the political scientist Nurtai Mustafayev, Nurlan Amrekulov, whose national idea intersects with ours. Unfortunately, the late Kanat Berentayev, who helped us economically with the development of pension issues. Alban Balginbayev is also a professor of political science who participated in ideological moments. These are people, who have a lot of experience and who understand that a change needs to occur in this country, where economic reforms do not go far, because political reforms are not solved,” Olesya Khalabuzar said in an interview.
“
“The charter and program of the party was developed last year, and many well-known experts who understand the need to create a new party participated in this process. I will name those who agreed to have their names announced. These are the political scientist Nurtai Mustafayev, Nurlan Amrekulov, whose national idea intersects with ours. Unfortunately, the late Kanat Berentayev, who helped us economically with the development of pension issues. Alban Balginbayev is also a professor of political science who participated in ideological moments. These are people, who have a lot of experience and who understand that a change needs to occur in this country, where economic reforms do not go far, because political reforms are not solved,” Olesya Khalabuzar said in an interview.
According to her, 1.5 thousand Kazakhstanis have already turned in their documents to join the ranks of the future political association.

Themis was chosen as the symbol of the organization. In one of the headings on their website, the “Justice” party members were going to publish blacklists of judges, notaries and lawyers.
“We also intend to pay attention to the problems of Kazakhstani women, which are created in the new laws. In addition, we believe that ladies should not occupy 7-10% of positions in power, as they do now, but at least 30%. These intentions are written in our documents,” Khalabuzar said.
“
“We also intend to pay attention to the problems of Kazakhstani women, which are created in the new laws. In addition, we believe that ladies should not occupy 7-10% of positions in power, as they do now, but at least 30%. These intentions are written in our documents,” Khalabuzar said.
As for the sources of financing for the future party, as Khalabuzar assured, these were their own funds and sponsorship from businessmen who "give normal amounts so that the party can develop."

Political scientist Aigul Omarova commented on Khalabuzar's statement about the creation of the party:
“So what if all these items are included in the programs of absolutely all political parties registered in Kazakhstan? After all, the main thing is to declare, and the rest is till where the curve stretches. The main message is contained in the words that the party will be multinational. I wonder where Olesya Khalabuzar found parties where representatives of only one nation would be present? It would be interesting to learn about such a phenomenon. As for the name of the future party, the very word "Justice" makes me associate with the Polish "Solidarity" and, frankly, it is alarming.

The question arises: is there someone who can't wait to rock the boat? Is there someone who does not accept interethnic harmony in Kazakhstan? If not, then why focus on things that are organic for us, have long become an integral part of society? And besides, it is doubtful that this party can arise at all, and even more so exist, since it is going to be based on the basis of the Society of Young Professionals of Kazakhstan – SYPK – an organization known for scandals on financial grounds and the division of power.
“
“So what if all these items are included in the programs of absolutely all political parties registered in Kazakhstan? After all, the main thing is to declare, and the rest is till where the curve stretches. The main message is contained in the words that the party will be multinational. I wonder where Olesya Khalabuzar found parties where representatives of only one nation would be present? It would be interesting to learn about such a phenomenon. As for the name of the future party, the very word "Justice" makes me associate with the Polish "Solidarity" and, frankly, it is alarming.

The question arises: is there someone who can't wait to rock the boat? Is there someone who does not accept interethnic harmony in Kazakhstan? If not, then why focus on things that are organic for us, have long become an integral part of society? And besides, it is doubtful that this party can arise at all, and even more so exist, since it is going to be based on the basis of the Society of Young Professionals of Kazakhstan – SYPK – an organization known for scandals on financial grounds and the division of power.
Tolganai Umbetaliyeva, Head of the Central Asian Foundation for Democracy, stressed that the party's prospects are bleak, her first statements have already provoked a strong reaction in society, especially the leaders' emphasis on ethnic issues.
"It seems that 'Party development goes in circles'." The second point is fairness. I got acquainted with their position on the site, while everything sounds populist and there is nothing serious or new. Therefore, the idea of ​​justice will not bring them big political dividends either, it will be quite difficult to retain attention and get support from the population, and even more so from politically active people. Even if the people at first see the advantages in this paragraph, pretty soon it will become uninteresting.

Rather, it was not the existence of a real need for multinational representation in politics that caused the emphasis on this point, but rather an attempt to play on the ideas that are presented in the programs of power. This is the creation of a civil identity, the celebration of the anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, and of course the real political trend is the activity of the national-patriotic bloc,” she commented.
“
"It seems that 'Party development goes in circles'." The second point is fairness. I got acquainted with their position on the site, while everything sounds populist and there is nothing serious or new. Therefore, the idea of ​​justice will not bring them big political dividends either, it will be quite difficult to retain attention and get support from the population, and even more so from politically active people. Even if the people at first see the advantages in this paragraph, pretty soon it will become uninteresting.

Rather, it was not the existence of a real need for multinational representation in politics that caused the emphasis on this point, but rather an attempt to play on the ideas that are presented in the programs of power. This is the creation of a civil identity, the celebration of the anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, and of course the real political trend is the activity of the national-patriotic bloc,” she commented.
Political scientist Sultanbek Sultangaliyev noted that it is not a fact that the party will appear at all, since there have already been many similar initiatives for party building, but not a single project has been implemented.
“The politically literate name of the party, the content of the site and the project of the program indicate that a professional team of high-class image makers stands behind “Justice”. If it is registered, it will play in the electoral field of the People's Communist Party and the SYP. The revival of the party field clearly shows the upcoming political changes, but in reality, before the elections, the number and composition of official parties will not change, with the exception of the official dissolution of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan,” Sultangaliyev said then.
“
“The politically literate name of the party, the content of the site and the project of the program indicate that a professional team of high-class image makers stands behind “Justice”. If it is registered, it will play in the electoral field of the People's Communist Party and the SYP. The revival of the party field clearly shows the upcoming political changes, but in reality, before the elections, the number and composition of official parties will not change, with the exception of the official dissolution of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan,” Sultangaliyev said then.

Kinder, Küche, Kirche – everything but politics

Kinder, Küche, Kirche – everything but politics

On March 4, 2017, Olesya Khalabuzar reported:
“I was searched in the office, my house, in the car and personal. They also searched my mother. They confiscated equipment, all telephones and all documents, even the original documents for our registered organization. Whether all the property and documents will now be returned – I doubt very much! A lawyer was not provided and was not allowed. The only witnesses were from the police. The searches went on until 3 am.

Charged under Art. 404 for the video on YouTube about the act of self-immolation of pensioners, this video does not apply to our organization. And I officially stated this in the Police Department in writing. The statement from an unknown citizen, Abdykarimov Aidos Ravkarovich, was written not on our organization, but on a video. My surname does not appear in the application, neither does the name of the SYP. There is no certificate of this citizen in the file. That is, a custom comrade. The self-immolators themselves were not interrogated, only one in my presence, who said yes, I did everything myself and filmed the video myself and no one has anything to do with it. But the Police Department did not care about this, they themselves are under the KNB. That is, the case is custom-made and political, directed against me personally."
“
“I was searched in the office, my house, in the car and personal. They also searched my mother. They confiscated equipment, all telephones and all documents, even the original documents for our registered organization. Whether all the property and documents will now be returned – I doubt very much! A lawyer was not provided and was not allowed. The only witnesses were from the police. The searches went on until 3 am.

Charged under Art. 404 for the video on YouTube about the act of self-immolation of pensioners, this video does not apply to our organization. And I officially stated this in the Police Department in writing. The statement from an unknown citizen, Abdykarimov Aidos Ravkarovich, was written not on our organization, but on a video. My surname does not appear in the application, neither does the name of the SYP. There is no certificate of this citizen in the file. That is, a custom comrade. The self-immolators themselves were not interrogated, only one in my presence, who said yes, I did everything myself and filmed the video myself and no one has anything to do with it. But the Police Department did not care about this, they themselves are under the KNB. That is, the case is custom-made and political, directed against me personally."
In fact, Olesya Khalabuzar did not share everything. The accusation around her was based on the fact of inciting ethnic hatred (Article 174, part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

Here is what the “independent” media wrote at the time:
“The young woman was accused of inciting hatred, the background of the accusation is obvious: overly active work to protect the rights of citizens and criticism of land reform. The main activity of the "Society of Young Professionals" was the fight against illegal court decisions and, in general, against the corrupt judicial system and the actions of the security forces.

And when last year, the public was stirred up by the initiative to carry out land reform, thanks to which foreigners could acquire land plots on an equal basis with citizens of the country, the Society sharply criticized the initiative and held several press conferences. In the same period, Olesya Khalabuzar was detained along with several Almaty civic activists on suspicion of spreading calls to discuss the "land issue" with the townspeople in the open."
“
“The young woman was accused of inciting hatred, the background of the accusation is obvious: overly active work to protect the rights of citizens and criticism of land reform. The main activity of the "Society of Young Professionals" was the fight against illegal court decisions and, in general, against the corrupt judicial system and the actions of the security forces.

And when last year, the public was stirred up by the initiative to carry out land reform, thanks to which foreigners could acquire land plots on an equal basis with citizens of the country, the Society sharply criticized the initiative and held several press conferences. In the same period, Olesya Khalabuzar was detained along with several Almaty civic activists on suspicion of spreading calls to discuss the "land issue" with the townspeople in the open."
The authors noted that "President Nursultan Nazarbayev backed down and announced a moratorium on the enactment of amendments to the Land Code, this topic temporarily ceased to be relevant, and the organization returned to the judicial system."
“On March 2, 2017, the office of the organization was searched at the request of an unknown citizen who reported that the organization was engaged in extremist activities. On the basis of the statement, a criminal case was initiated under the article "Creation, leadership and participation in the activities of illegal public and other associations", investigative actions were carried out by the Department for Combating Extremism of the Department of Internal Affairs.

During the search, computer equipment, communications equipment and documentation were confiscated. On April 16, the police summoned Olesya Khalabuzar for interrogation on a new charge of inciting ethnic hatred: allegedly, during a search in the office, a leaflet with anti-Chinese content was found, and the corresponding file was found in the seized computer,” the media wrote.
“
“On March 2, 2017, the office of the organization was searched at the request of an unknown citizen who reported that the organization was engaged in extremist activities. On the basis of the statement, a criminal case was initiated under the article "Creation, leadership and participation in the activities of illegal public and other associations", investigative actions were carried out by the Department for Combating Extremism of the Department of Internal Affairs.

During the search, computer equipment, communications equipment and documentation were confiscated. On April 16, the police summoned Olesya Khalabuzar for interrogation on a new charge of inciting ethnic hatred: allegedly, during a search in the office, a leaflet with anti-Chinese content was found, and the corresponding file was found in the seized computer,” the media wrote.
On August 1, a trial was held on charges of Olesya Khalabuzar of inciting ethnic hatred. The court sentenced her to two years of restraint of liberty.

According to the prosecution, “at the beginning of 2017, Khalabuzar had a direct criminal intent aimed at inciting ethnic hatred by producing leaflets containing text that has signs of inciting ethnic hatred, enmity, and distributing them in the city of Almaty.” These leaflets, according to the prosecution, in February of this year, Khalabuzar made in the office and then distributed them in Almaty.

Olesya Khalabuzar formally acknowledged the charges against her in court, declaring repentance.

In October 2018, the Nauryzbai District Criminal Court of Almaty denied 40-year-old activist Olesya Khalabuzar's application for parole.

In May 2017, Olesya Khalabuzar announced on her Facebook page that she had decided to leave “public life”, as she critically reassessed her early political activities, and also identified the main priority of her life – family and children.

Here is the text of Khalabuzar's appeal in full:
“I want to address my followers. I thought about what I was doing for a very long time, about where I was going and what I wanted. I rethought certain values ​​in my life. Every day I look at my daughters and understand how beautiful and smart they are. And what I do not wish them at all is to become a part of our political life.

Recently, I have plunged headlong into my social activities, making it my first priority in my life. But ...., I UNDERSTAND HOW WRONG I WAS!!!!

Somewhere out of ignorance of the law, somewhere out of their short-sightedness, the activities of the organization SYPK "Justice" have passed into an unmanaged form of work. The form of expression of vision of this or that situation chosen by me is NOT CORRECT!!!

We chose counterproductive methods of public work – blackmailing government agencies, illegal protests and dissemination of information – all this could be solved simply by sitting down at the negotiating table with the authorities.

Frankly, I was offered that, but it was impossible to agree. Probably, this is what is called – "BREAKING THE STICK!".

Perhaps someone will think that I am writing this because of a criminal case brought against me, but THIS IS NOT SO – these people will not understand my situation.
Looking back, I decided to take a very important step in my life and declare: I AM LEAVING THE FIELD OF PUBLIC ACTIVITIES !!! I want to become "an ordinary ordinary citizen")))) and devote the remaining time to my family!!!! This is the most sacred!

I recommend to my associates not to repeat my mistakes and build their relations with government agencies (and nowhere without them) in the legal field – to sit down at the negotiating table to solve their problems!!!

Wishing everyone good luck and happiness! Sincerely, Olesya Petrovna Khalabuzar."
“
“I want to address my followers. I thought about what I was doing for a very long time, about where I was going and what I wanted. I rethought certain values ​​in my life. Every day I look at my daughters and understand how beautiful and smart they are. And what I do not wish them at all is to become a part of our political life.

Recently, I have plunged headlong into my social activities, making it my first priority in my life. But ...., I UNDERSTAND HOW WRONG I WAS!!!!

Somewhere out of ignorance of the law, somewhere out of their short-sightedness, the activities of the organization SYPK "Justice" have passed into an unmanaged form of work. The form of expression of vision of this or that situation chosen by me is NOT CORRECT!!!

We chose counterproductive methods of public work – blackmailing government agencies, illegal protests and dissemination of information – all this could be solved simply by sitting down at the negotiating table with the authorities.

Frankly, I was offered that, but it was impossible to agree. Probably, this is what is called – "BREAKING THE STICK!".

Perhaps someone will think that I am writing this because of a criminal case brought against me, but THIS IS NOT SO – these people will not understand my situation.
Looking back, I decided to take a very important step in my life and declare: I AM LEAVING THE FIELD OF PUBLIC ACTIVITIES !!! I want to become "an ordinary ordinary citizen")))) and devote the remaining time to my family!!!! This is the most sacred!

I recommend to my associates not to repeat my mistakes and build their relations with government agencies (and nowhere without them) in the legal field – to sit down at the negotiating table to solve their problems!!!

Wishing everyone good luck and happiness! Sincerely, Olesya Petrovna Khalabuzar."