Famous Kazakh political observer Marat Shibutov insists that Masimov was not the sole organizer of the January 2022 attempted coup d’etat, and there were influential organizations from other countries behind those events. Literal translation of his arguments posted in his telegram-channel below:

“ I decided to write down some thoughts:

1. Court verdicts give clear indications about which of the defendants gave testimonies about others and thus showed active regret, deserving attenuation and early parole in 6 months.

2. Investigation and litigation were kept secret, nothing reached public attention, which is to the detriment of the legitimacy of both and gives Masimov’s protectors grounds to criticize them and the sentence.

3. At the same time, it is clear, why thing were kept secret –

announcement that a certain country contributed into attempted coup implies severing of diplomatic relations, as a minimum

Obvious is the fact that that “certain country” is way more powerful than us and may drop massive sanctions on us. As for us, we are not that courageous and ready to pay such a high price.

4. Interesting is, that

the gravity of investigation did not drag into its orbit commanders of departments of the central HQ, as well as territorial departments

Should that be done, the whole system of involvement shall come into public spotlight and masses will demand lustration. That is something our state is not ready to allow to happen.

5. The phenomenon, within the framework of which some of our “democratic compatriots” do not believe that Masimov is guilty, is nothing but their mechanism of psychological protection.

You know, it always is hard to accept the fact that you have been deceived, that your were nothing, but cannon fodder in the hands of those, against whom you went out in the streets to riot. 

You just reject the fact that those, whom you trusted were “rats” working for secret services.

6. Interesting is that Masimov was sentenced, but nobody discussed his activities before the coup, but they should have. Besides, they put some people in jail, but the system remains the same. What stops others from repeating what Masimov failed to do? I will remind us, that we still have not re-investigated the cases of Konstantin Syroyezhkin, Baglan Mailybayev and Nartay Dutbayev, which cases were launched by orders from Masimov.

7. That is not the end of the story. It will keep popping up and cropping out for years, just cause so important it is to us and our politics”.