Nazarbayev Shakes-Up Highest Echelons of Power

    As per presidential decrees, there have been a number of highly ranked position changes at ministries and other government bodies this week.
    On the evening of April 2 on behalf of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Chief of the Presidential Administration Aslan Musin introduced new ministers to their respective staff members.
    Aslan Musin explained his unexpected visit of to the Ministry of Justice that day by reading a decree stating Zagipa Baliyeva was removed as justice minister and was transferred to an unannounced position. Unofficial reports indicate that she has been appointed as a Majilis deputy.
    The former General Prosecutor Rashid Tusupbekov has been appointed the new minister of justice.
    Mr Musin then went to the Ministry of Internal affairs -- the largest public agency in Kazakhstan; where he read a decree on the appointment of Serik Baimagambetov to as minister of internal affairs.
    Baimaganbetov previously served as chairman of the Majilis Committee on Legislation and Judicial and Legal Reform.
    Since 2007, the 51-year-old chaired the Department for Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan.
    In the near future new presidential decrees are expected to result in a further staff reshuffling. The new attorney general’s position is still up in the air, and there is speculation as to which position the president will appoint Zagipa Baliyeva, Khabar reports.