I am deeply disappointed at the conviction of opposition leader Kozlov. Kozlov supported striking oil workers in Zhanaozen in western Kazakhstan. They were on strike for reasonable wages. Their cause was legitimate, as were Kozlov’s activities in support of it. It is totally unacceptable to send him to prison for more than seven years; the sentence suggests that the case is politically motivated. The state ought to protect political activism, not see it as a criminal offence. I call upon President Nazarbayev to pardon and release Mr Kozlov immediately and to argue in favour of reversing the ruling.