This New York Times article reports on the troubles of American businessman Mark Seidenfeld, the telecommunications entreprenuer who made a fortune during the dizzying days of Kazahkstan’s conversion from a communist to a market economy. The case against Seidenfeld is controversial and is being watched closely, largely because Kazakhstan is perceived to be one of the least repressive countries in the region for foreigners to do business. However, what is most chilling about the account is how many similarities exist between the way in which the Kazahkstan criminal justice system is handling this case and the way in which many recent criminal prosecutions against U.S. businesspersons have been handled in the American criminal justice system (a point made earlier here). Interestingly, several human rights organizations are weighing in with the Kazahkstan government about the handling of the Seidenfeld case, something that is unheard of in regard to similar prosecutorial tactics that are taking place in the U.S.