In early January 2022, Kazakhstan experienced a national tragedy when mass protests over rising gas prices escalated into violent unrest, resulting in the deaths of 227 people. More than a year later, former Prime Minister Karim Massimov was convicted of treason for his alleged involvement in the events. Many of the demonstrators in January had taken to the streets not only in response to economic grievances but also in protest against the entrenched corruption associated with former President Nursultan Nazarbayev's regime.

A new report by Freedom for Eurasia, titled Napoleon Complex, sheds light on this legacy by examining the extensive corruption of Massimov, a key figure in upholding Nazarbayev’s kleptocratic system while amassing significant personal wealth for himself and his family.

At this event, speakers will present the report’s findings and discuss the broader implications for ongoing efforts to combat corruption and kleptocracy in Kazakhstan and beyond.

Speakers:

Leila Nazgul Seiitbek is an exiled lawyer and human rights advocate from the Kyrgyz Republic. She is Chairwoman of Freedom for Eurasia, which documents and reports on human rights, kleptocracy, and corruption abuses in the former Soviet Republics of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Thomas Mayne is a Research Fellow at University of Exeter, and a former Visiting Fellow at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Prior to this, he worked as a Senior Campaigner at anti-corruption NGO Global Witness, where he was responsible for the group’s reports on Central Asia and Eurasia. His current research project builds on his expertise in analyzing kleptocratic flows by looking at networks of professional service providers that enable illicit flows from corruption hotspots. 

David Szakonyi is Associate Professor of Political Science at George Washington University, co-Director of PONARS Eurasia, and co-founder of the Anti-Corruption Data Collective. His academic research focuses on corruption, clientelism, and political economy in Russia, Western Europe and the United States.

Moderator:

Sebastien Peyrouse is Director of the Central Asia Program and Research Professor, IERES, The George Washington University. His main areas of expertise are political systems in Central Asia, economic and social issues, Islam and religious minorities, and Central Asia's geopolitical positioning toward China, India, and South Asia.