Freedom Kazakhstan Foundation, Charlotte, NC, P. O. Box 77966, Charlotte, NC (2026)

12/29/2021

List of political persecution in connection with peaceful protests on 16 December 2021.
⠀
As of 21 December 2021, the human rights monitoring group “ActivistsNotExtremists” has recorded:
⠀
(*1 case = 1 person)
⠀
1) Preventive political persecution (in the period from 2 December to 15 December 2021): 37 cases in 15 cities and settlements, including 21 administrative arrests for allegedly "violating the law on peaceful assemblies")
⠀
2) Political persecution on 16 December 2021: 82 cases in 18 cities and settlements, of which 39 arbitrary detentions, including 3 members of the “OYAN Kazakhstan” (Oyan, Qazaqstan) movement.
⠀
- At least 2 people were illegally fined for allegedly "violating the law on peaceful assembly".
⠀
- Detentions of supporters of the “Democratic Party” are not reported, please send information in case there are any confirmed facts of persecution.
⠀
3) On 16 December 2021, the authorities of Kazakhstan have, on political grounds, issued 5 refusals to hold peaceful assemblies (twice - in Almaty, with reference to "quarantine", and 3 times - in Uralsk, with reference to holding other events in a place specified as a venue for holding peaceful assemblies) in response to notifications submitted by civil activists.
⠀
We call on the US and the EU to demand that the Kazakhstani authorities immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, stop political persecution, and comply with their international human rights obligations, including the right to peaceful assembly.
⠀
We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: Karim MASSIMOV, Head of the NSC; Gizat NURDAULETOV, General Prosecutor; and Yerlan TURGUMBAYEV, Minister of Internal Affairs.
⠀
Full list: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3155935701392358

12/29/2021

On 20 December 2021, civil activist Aizhan ISMAKOVA was illegally sentenced to one year of restriction of liberty and 2.5 years' ban on social and political activity under a politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 2 ("participation in an extremist organisation"). Aizhan ISMAKOVA is being prosecuted for participating in peaceful rallies and criticising the authorities.

On 21 December 2021, the civil activistAbzal KANALIYEV was illegally sentenced to 1 year of restriction of liberty and 2.5 years’ ban on social and political activities and the use of social media in a politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 2 and Article 293 Part 2 ("hooliganism").
⠀
Abzal KANALIYEV is being prosecuted for:
- distributing materials of the opposition movements “Koshe Partiyasy” and “DCK” by reposting on Facebook;
- liking and reposting on Facebook the publication of activist Daryn KHASSENOV about the rally in Aktau and the publication of opposition Mukhtar ABLYAZOV "about the peaceful change of NAZARBAYEV'S regime";
- the dissemination on Telegram of information about peaceful protests organised by the opposition “Koshe Partiyasy” and “DCK” movements;
- calls for participation in peaceful protests;
- a false denunciation from Sagyndyk ZHARYLGAP, who staged a provocation against Abzal KANALIYEV and claimed that Abzal KANALIYEV allegedly beat him with a crutch;
Abzal KANALIYEV is a civil activist from Aktau, who participates in rallies and challenges, criticises the Kazakhstani authorities, demands the release of political prisoners and calls for personal sanctions against human rights violators in Kazakhstan.
⠀
In its resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan, dated 11 February 2021, the EP calls on the Kazakhstani authorities to stop all politically motivated prosecutions and release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.
The European Parliament condemned the Kazakhstani authorities' abuse of anti-extremism legislation to persecute supporters of the peaceful opposition movements DCK and “Koshe Partiyasy”.

11/23/2021

On 18 November 2021, a hearing was held in the politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 2 ("participation in an extremist organisation") against a civil activist Orynbai OKHASOV.

Judge Kairat UTESHEV unlawfully sentenced Orynbai OKHASOV to 1 year of restriction of liberty, a 1-year ban on social and political activities and the use of social media, as well as ordered him to pay a mandatory payment of 29170 tenge ($67) to the "Crime Victims' Compensation Fund" and 100 hours of community service.

Orynbai OKHASOV is prosecuted for:

- Calling for and participating in peaceful protests, subbotages (evening marches);
- Demanding the annulment of the decisions of the Yesil court banning the "DCK" and "Koshe Partiyasy" movements;
- Demanding the release of political prisoners and to stop political repression;
- Reposting a Facebook post with the “DCK” movement's programmes;
- Peaceful protest against Chinese expansion and construction of 56 Chinese factories in Kazakhstan, against sale of land to foreigners;

In its resolution of 11 February 2021, the European Parliament has condemned the abuse of anti-extremism legislation by the Kazakhstani authorities to persecute supporters of the peaceful opposition movements “DCK” and “Koshe Partiyasy” and called on the Kazakhstani authorities "to drop politically motivated charges and end all forms of arbitrary detention, reprisals and harassment against human rights activists, religious organisations, civil society organisations, trade unions, journalists and political opposition movements".

We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the NSC, Karim MASSIMOV; the Prosecutor General, Gizat NURDAULETOV; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan TURGUMBAYEV.

11/03/2021

As of 2 November 2021, the human rights monitoring group ActivistsNonExtremists has recorded (the list of human rights organisations and movements included in the monitoring group can be found on the screenshot):
⠀
Note: 1 case = 1 person.

In connection with the nationwide protest on 23 October 2021 announced by the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan ("DCK") movement with the following demands to the authorities of Kazakhstan:
- Raise salaries, pensions and benefits by half;
- Freedom for political prisoners.

1) Preventive political persecution (in the period from 18 to 22 October 2021): 24 cases in 13 cities and localities (including three administrative arrests of up to 20 days for alleged "violation of the law on peaceful assembly").
⠀
2) 23 October (the day of the protests): 81 cases in 24 towns and localities (including at least 29 arbitrary detentions, 1 administrative arrest up to 20 days for alleged "violation of the law on peaceful assembly").

The Kazakhstani authorities have on five occasions refused, for political reasons, to hold peaceful assemblies on 23 October 2021 in Aktau, Uralsk and Zhanaozen in response to notifications submitted by civil society activists.
⠀
We draw attention to the use of brute force during the arbitrary detention of Gulmira ORYNTAYEVA (from Shymkent) and Bibigul ZHOLAMANOVA (from Almaty). Police officers have not yet been prosecuted.

We note that the Commissioner for Human Rights, Elvira AZIMOVA, has not publicly responded to political persecution arising from the peaceful protests of 23 October 2021.

The authorities of Kazakhstan, a member state of the United Nations Human Rights Council, are in flagrant violation of international human rights obligations, while at the same time claiming a supposedly "listening state" and "political reforms".

We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: Karim MASSIMOV, Head of the NSC; Gizat NURDAULETOV, General Prosecutor; and Yerlan TURGUMBAYEV, Minister of Internal Affairs.

10/13/2021

On 11 October 2021, a verdict in the politically motivated criminal case against civil activists from Almaty was pronounced. Judge Yernar KASSYMBEKOV pronounced the politically motivated verdict:
⠀
1) Political prisoners: Askhat ZHEKSEBAYEV, Kairat KLYSHEV, Abai BEGIMBETOV, Noyan RAKHIMZHANOV (Article 405 Part 1 and Part 2 - "organisation and participation in an extremist organisation") - 5 years' imprisonment and a 5-year ban on social and political activities.
⠀
2) Diana BAIMAGAMBETOVA (Article 405 Part 2) - 2 years of restriction of liberty and 3 years ban on social and political activities.
⠀
3) Dametkan ASPANDIYAROVA (Article 405 Part 2) - 2 years of restriction of liberty and 3 years ban on social and political activities.
⠀
4) Gulzipa DZHAUKEROVA, Ninagul DZHUMANIYAZOVA, Ermek KOZIYEV, Marat KURBANOV, Bakdaulet ALIBEKOV, Bolat SMAGULOV, Darkhan VALIYEV (Article 405 Part 2) - 1 year of restriction of liberty and 3 years ban on social and political activities.
⠀
Prosecutor: MYRZAGALIYEV Dastan.
⠀
They were convicted on political grounds for:
⠀
- participation, discussion and calling for peaceful protests.
⠀
- participation in Asar - building a house for the family of killed human rights activist and blogger Dulat AGADIL.
⠀
- collecting and providing humanitarian aid for the families of political prisoners and politically persecuted activists.
⠀
- criticism of the authorities of Kazakhstan.
⠀
- defending and promoting human rights and demanding the release of political prisoners.
⠀
Neither the investigator, prosecutor nor judge provided any court decisions banning Koshe Partiyasy and DCK or other "evidence", thus demonstrating that the political criminal case is entirely groundless and fabricated.
⠀
We demand to stop political persecution and the release of political prisoners.
⠀
We call on the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: Karim MASSIMOV, head of the NSC; Gizat NURDAULETOV, General Prosecutor; and Yerlan TURGUMBAYEV, Minister of Internal Affairs.

09/28/2021

On 2 September 2021, a verdict of the court of appeal was pronounced in the politically motivated case under Article 405 Part 1 and Part 2 ("organisation and participation in the activities of an extremist organisation") against political prisoner Askar KAIYRBEK from Astana.
⠀
The judges of the court of appeal Murat SOLTYBAYEV, Shynar YERGALIYEVA and Abai KOKZHALOV increased the term of imprisonment for political prisoner Askar KAIYRBEK from 1.5 years to 2 years and 2 months.
⠀
On 21 June 2021, Askar KAIYRBEK was illegally sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.
⠀
Askar KAIYRBEK is being prosecuted for:
⠀
- an attempt to register a peaceful opposition movement "Koshe Partiyasy". Askar KAIYRBEK spoke about this on 10 May 2020 - before "Koshe Partiyasy" was illegally recognised as an "extremist organisation" by a secret decision of Judge Ruslan MAZHITOV.
⠀
- appealing on his Youtube channel to the Kazakh-speaking audience to participate in peaceful "subbotage" (evening) marches.
⠀
- the appeal to the international community in connection with the secret ban on “Koshe Partiyasy” and Kazakhstan's violations of its international obligations.
⠀
- the appeal to representatives of the United States, the European Union, the UN, Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to note that the activists were detained when they came to receive a copy of the secret decision to ban “Koshe Partiyasy”.
⠀
The political conviction and prosecution of Askar KAIYRBEK is further evidence of the Kazakhstani authorities' violations of international human rights obligations, including under the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
⠀
We call for the immediate release of political prisoner Askar KAIYRBEK. In its resolution of 11 February 2021, the European Parliament called for the immediate release and full rehabilitation of all political prisoners, including Askar KAIYRBEK.
⠀
We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the NSC, Karim MASSIMOV; the Prosecutor General, Gizat NURDAULETOV; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan TURGUMBAYEV.

09/14/2021

On 3 August 2021, judge Sabyrzhan KARIMOV illegally sentenced political prisoner Yerbol YESKHOZHIN to 2.5 years in prison in a politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 1 ("organisation of an extremist organisation").
Prosecutor: ABYZHANOVA Laura.
⠀
Yerbol YESKHOZHIN is politically prosecuted for:
- Participation and calling for participation in peaceful protests;
- Publicly congratulating opposition politician Mukhtar ABLYAZOV on his birthday;
- Publicly announcing the establishment of a peaceful opposition movement, “Koshe Partiyasy”;
- Reposting of publications of the human rights movement Veritas on holding Asar, a collection of humanitarian aid for the families of political prisoners.

In its resolution of 11 February 2021, the European Parliament has condemned the abuse of anti-extremism legislation by the Kazakhstani authorities to persecute supporters of the peaceful opposition movements “DCK” and “Koshe Partiyasy” and called on the Kazakhstani authorities "to drop politically motivated charges and end all forms of arbitrary detention, reprisals and harassment against human rights activists, religious organisations, civil society organisations, trade unions, journalists and political opposition movements".
⠀
We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the National Security Committee, Karim Massimov; the General Prosecutor, Gizat Nurdauletov; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan Turgumbayev.

08/28/2021

Politically motivated criminal persecution of the civil activist Lyazzat Dosmambetova.

On 25 June 2021, SHAIKHULLAYEV N.B., investigator of the Investigative Division of the Enbekshy District Police Department, issued an indictment against a mother of four and civil activist Lyazzat DOSMAMBETOVA prosecuted under politically motivated Article 405 Parts 1 and 2 ("organisation and participation in an extremist organisation").

The "grounds" for the politically motivated criminal case are:

1) On 30 July 2020, DOSMAMBETOVA Lyazzat went live on the "YouTube" platform with "the leader of "Koshe Partiyasy" Mukhtar ABLYAZOV and his supporters.

2) In her video appeal (the investigator did not specify the date of the event), DOSMAMBETOVA Lyazzat called for a change of power, building a parliamentary republic and criticised the policy of the authorities.

3) DOSMAMBETOVA Lyazzat urged citizens to submit a notification for a peaceful rally on 31 October 2020 in Shymkent city. No comment.

4) DOSMAMBETOVA Lyazzat demanded the release of political prisoner Aron Atabek and other political prisoners and to stop political persecution.

Lyazzat DOSMAMBETOVA is being politically persecuted for exercising her constitutional rights: she called on to participate in peaceful protests, criticised the authorities, and demanded the release of political prisoners.

In its resolution of 11 February 2021, the European Parliament has condemned the abuse of anti-extremism legislation by the Kazakhstani authorities to persecute supporters of the peaceful opposition movements “DCK” and “Koshe Partiyasy” and called on the Kazakhstani authorities "to drop politically motivated charges and end all forms of arbitrary detention, reprisals and harassment against human rights activists, political opposition movements".

We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the National Security Committee, Karim Massimov; the General Prosecutor, Gizat Nurdauletov; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan Turgumbayev.

Read more: https://freedomkazakhstan.com/news/113.html

08/14/2021

On 16 August 2021, at 14:30, there will be an online trial in the politically motivated case under Article 405 Part 1 and Part 2 ("organisation and participation in an extremist organisation") against political prisoner Ulasbek AKHMETOV.
⠀
Ulasbek AKHMETOV is being prosecuted for:
- demands for the release of arbitrarily arrested civil activists.
- participation in peaceful protests.
- discussing and making posters for peaceful protests.
⠀
In its resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan dated 11 February 2021, the European Parliament called on the Kazakhstani authorities to stop all politically motivated prosecutions and release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.
⠀
The European Parliament condemned the Kazakhstani authorities' abuse of anti-extremism legislation to persecute supporters of the peaceful opposition movements DCK and Koshe Partiyasy.
⠀
We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the NSC, Karim MASSIMOV; the General Prosecutor, Gizat NURDAULETOV; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan TURGUMBAYEV.

08/06/2021

Politically motivated criminal persecutions of the civil activist
Zhanibek Zhunusov
⠀
On 26 July 2021, a court trial in the politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 2 ("participation in the activities of an extremist organisation") against civil activist Zhanibek Zhunusov took place. Judge Ibragim Alkenov illegally sentenced Zhanibek Zhunusov to 2 years of restriction of liberty, a 3-year ban on social and political activities (including publications on social networks) and imposed a forced payment of $65.
⠀
Prosecutor: Akhat Rasul.
⠀
Zhanibek Zhunusov is being prosecuted for:
⠀
1) On 3 September 2020, Zhanibek Zhunusov made a repost of the post written by opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov on Facebook: “DCK announces a protest to be held on 25 September”.
⠀
2) On 15 October 2020, Zhanibek Zhunusov made a repost of the post written by opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov on Facebook: “Regarding sanctions against Navalny and future sanctions against Nazarbayev. This is just the beginning. Recently the European Union imposed sanctions in relation to Lukashenko's circle”.
⠀
3) On 11 December 2020, Zhanibek Zhunusov made a repost of the post written by opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov on Facebook: “Why should we vote for Akzhol? I have conducted a series of live broadcasts explaining why we need to vote for Akzhol and go out to a mass protest on 10 January”.
⠀
4) On 25 December 2020, Zhanibek Zhunusov made a repost of the post written by opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov on Facebook: “We will shift the regime of Nazarbayev on 10 January. It depends on each of us whether we will be able to pull down Nazarbayev and his criminal gang. Following the instructions precisely we will achieve the result.” He also published a picture with the text “Get lost, Shal (Old man)! Shymkent.”
⠀
We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the National Security Committee, Karim Massimov; the General Prosecutor, Gizat Nurdauletov; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan Turgumbayev.

07/29/2021

Joint statement on the case of Karachaganak Support Services ("KSS")
⠀
On 26 July 2021, the Atyrau Court of Appeal reversed the decision of court of the first instance and imposed a politically motivated sentence of 5.5 years in prison for Baurzhan Jussupov (a KSS employee), 7 years in prison for Natalia Dauletyarova and 5 years in prison for Rinat Batkayev (partners of KSS) under Article 262 ("organised criminal group").
⠀
The Kazakhstani authorities have prosecuted KSS employees, relatives of Barlyk Mendygaziyev and Barlyk Mendygaziyev himself for his peaceful human rights and opposition activities, helping to pay politically motivated fines, services of lawyers in political cases and providing humanitarian assistance to families of political prisoners and politically persecuted activists.
⠀
We believe that after the politically motivated verdict against Barlyk's colleagues, Kazakhstani authorities will seek his extradition from the United States, where he founded the human rights foundation Freedom Kazakhstan.
⠀
We demand to stop the political persecution of KSS employees, relatives of Barlyk Mendygaziyev, and to release Bekizhan Mendygaziyev immediately.
⠀
We demand that the politically motivated conviction of Baurzhan Jussupov, Natalia Dauletyarova and Rinat Batkayev be reversed.
⠀
We call on the US, the the UK and Canada to publicly condemn the politically motivated persecution of Barlyk Mendygaziyev’s colleagues and relatives, and to impose personal sanctions on: Karim Massimov, Head of the National Security Committee; Gizat Nurdauletov, General Presecutor; and Yerlan Turgumbayev, Minister of Internal Affairs for systematic human rights violations in Kazakhstan.
⠀
Human Rights Foundation “Qaharman”
Human Rights Movement “405”
Human Rights Foundation "Freedom Kazakhstan"
Human Rights Movement "BostandyQ Kz”
Human Rights Movement “Article 14"
Human Rights Movement “Elimay"
Human Rights Movement “Veritas"

The full statement is available on our website: https://freedomkazakhstan.com/news/110.html

07/23/2021

The human rights defenders of the coalition prepared a joint report on the political persecution of a Kazakhstani businessman, philanthropist and human rights activist Barlyk MENDYGAZIYEV, who lives in the USA.
⠀
A coalition of 11 organisations analysed and collected facts confirming that the reason for the persecution of Barlyk MENDYGAZIYEV was his opposition and human rights activities. He provides financial and humanitarian assistance to the families of Kazakhstani political prisoners and promotes personal sanctions against Nursultan NAZARBAYEV and his entourage in the US.
⠀
Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (NSC) is fabricating documents for an extradition request for Barlyk MENDYGAZIYEV and freezing his accounts in the US. In this way, the Kazakhstani regime wants to paralyse MENDYGAZIYEV'S public activities, make the support of civil society impossible and stop an international campaign in support of imposition of personal sanctions for corruption and gross human rights violations in Kazakhstan.
⠀
In a battle against political opponent Barlyk MENDYGAZIYEV, the Kazakhstani authorities have paralysed the operations of the Karachaganak Support Services (KSS), a company he founded, for a long time. KSS supplies refined oil to Western markets and is a contractor for US firms, and its clients include major investors such as Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell.
⠀
We call on the US and the EU governments:
⠀
▪️Do not allow the extradition of the politically persecuted Barlyk MENDYGAZIYEV. If extradited, he will be deprived of his right to fair justice and is most likely to be subjected to torture.
▪️ Reject potential requests by the Kazakhstani authorities for international legal assistance in this case or possible attempts by Kazakhstan to have MENDYGAZIYEV'S accounts blocked in the United States.
▪️ Demand that the Kazakhstani authorities cease political persecution of Barlyk Mendygaziyev and his relatives, release his brother Bekizhan from custody, and cease pressure and threats against KSS staff and members of the Mendygaziyev family.
⠀
More information is available on our website.

Freedom Kazakhstan Foundation

12/29/2021

12/29/2021

11/23/2021

11/03/2021

10/13/2021

09/28/2021

09/14/2021

08/28/2021

08/14/2021

08/06/2021

07/29/2021

07/23/2021

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category