April 18, 2007

Appeal

Of Journalistic Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan

On the occasion of missing of journalist Oralgaysha Omarshanova (Zhabagaytaykyzy)

Journalist Oralgaysha Omarshanova (Zhabagaytaykyzy) has disappeared on March 30, 2007. She is journalist of the newspaper “Zakon I pravosudie” and investigates crimes with elements of corruption. There are opinions that her disappearance is connected with her professional activity.

There was the last article of Oralgaysha Omarshanova (Zhabagaytaykyzy) “Blood chaos or who stands up for Mahnov’s brothers”. This article (journalistic investigation) was written as a result of official journey and analyzed reasons of blood conflict in village Malovodnoe of Almaty region. Journalist has told in her article about relations of instigators of conflict with the state and huge commercial structures calling surnames and professional position. The continuation of this publication will be in next issues of the newspaper.

Muhit Iskakov (representative of the newspaper in Almaty) said that Oralgaysha was received some threatening phone calls to her before publication of this article. She was threatened if she does not stop to publicize her journalistic investigations. As a result of it she has bought and registered fire-arms because she was afraid of her life.

Oralgaysha and her colleagues have come to Almaty on March 29, 2007. Her friend has seen that Oralgaysha has sat down into unknown car (it was “jeep”) on March 30, 2007. Anybody has seen her.

Her relatives and colleagues have tried to search her within a week, but there was no any result. The staff of the newspaper and brother of Oralgaysha Omarshanova (Zhabagaytaykyzy) have addressed to police with application of missing of a man. There is no any result of searches.

Oralgaysha Omarshanova is 39-years old. She has a daughter (her daughter is a pupil of seven class form). She works as journalist of the newspaper “Zakon I Pravosudie” within a year. Colleagues record of her fearlessness and the highest professionalism.  

We approach to Head of Ministry of Internal Affairs make more effective attempts of search of missing journalist.

We approach to General Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan take investigation of this important case under your own control.

We approach to all journalists and mass media of the country with the request to render all possible assistance to search of missing journalist. There was no similar case in Kazakhstan for years of independence. We have to undertake all efforts that they were not and henceforth.

We address to everyone who something knows about site Oralgajshai Omarshanova (her pseudonym Oralgajsha ZHabagtajkyzy) - with the request to inform the information in operative Center of DIA of Almaty by phone +8(327) 254 - 40 - 42 or to brother Oralgajshi Zhanat Omarshanov by phone +8 701 57 44 754, and also in the Association of journalists of Kazakhstan +8(327) 267 0363 and Foundation:” Adil Soz” +8(327) 291 16 70.

Chairman of Journalist’s Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Seitkazy Mataev.

President of Foundation of Protection of Freedom of Speech

Tamara Kaleyeva.