Late Rakhat Aliyev, Issam Hourani’s brother-in-law was a dominant political figure in Kazakhstan. He was the son-in-law of Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Aliyev played a major role in the political discipline and proved himself to be worthy of becoming the president succeeding Nazarbayev. Howbeit, a dispute activated between Aliyev and Nazarbayev that took an ugly turn. All Aliyev’s family, friends, supporters were targeted, including Issam Hourani. Issam Hourani along with his family was forced to leave the country after the authority took over their assets.
Mr. Aliyev and President Nazarbayev’s quarrel led the Hourani Family to be a collateral damage and costed them their wealth in Kazakhstan.