On January 1, in Nur-Sultan and Almaty, artists and eco-activists organized actions to protect Maly Taldykol. The organizers described the goal of the action as “to address the problem of the destruction of the Maly Taldykol lake system with a renewed vigor” to urge the public and authorities to immediately stop the filling of the lakes and to establish a water conservation zone”[1].
On January 2, in Zhanaozen, hundreds of people came to the Akimat building protesting against the increase in gas prices,as most of the cars in the city are fueled by gas. The main claim was to reduce the price to 50 tenge, because higher gas prices will result in higher prices of consumer goods and foodstuffs. Protesters have blocked traffic in the center of the town, and there have been reports that mobile Internet service has been shut down in the center of the single-industry town[2].
On January 2, in Aktau, Aktau residents supported Zhanaozen and demanded that the price of motor gas which is used to fuel most cars in the Mangystau region, be reduced to 50 tenge. People first gathered at Yntymak Square, but later a group of young people moved to the main road to block it[3].
On January 2, in response to the demands of the residents of Zhanaozen and Aktau, the Ministry of Energy reported as follows: “Starting January 1, 2022, 100% of liquefied gas trading will be done through commodity exchanges, because the transition to electronic trading enables gas prices to be balanced between supply and demand, and this will help to attract investment in the creation of new productive capacities”[4].
On January 2, the protest of the Zhanaozen residents was supported by residents of other localities of the Mangistau region. In late afternoon, hundreds of people from the villages of Zhetybai, Kuryk and Akshukyr expressed their solidarity with the Zhanaozen residents. Villagers made a video appeal addressed to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Oblast Akim Nurlan Nogayev, calling for lower gas prices, which are used to fill up most cars in the region[5].
On January 2, in Atyrau, activist Maks Bokayev appeared in Isatai and Makhambet square, supporting Zhanaozen residents, saying that Zhanaozen’s demands were reasonable and lawfull. He said that the majority of people living in the western regions of Kazakhstan, where hydrocarbons are extracted, did not work in the oil and gas industry and make small incomes, so the increase in gas prices “hited the pockets” of ordinary people very hard[6].
On January 3, in Almaty, the representatives of the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan went to the square in Almaty to support protesters in the Mangistau regionRepresentatives of the local authorities and law enforcement agencies approached the crowd, stating that the action was illegal, the area of the square was cordoned off, and the Internet was working irregularly[7].
On January 3, in Nur-Sultan city, the residents of the capital gathered to show solidarity with the residents of Zhanaozen, who demanded the return of the same gas prices as before. They rallied in front of the city administration building, in front of the Kenesary monument. SOBR (Special Rapid Deployment Force) and police detained eight protesters. About 20 people also protested near the circus building and in front of the old railway station[8].
On January 3, in Almaty, civil activists went to the square to show their support for protesters in Zhanaozen. The riot police detained about 20 people who had left the cafe where they were holding a funeral feast of Aron Atabek. According to the police, traffic on the Republic Square and on Astana Square was blocked for disinfection from the Covid[9].
On January 3, in Shymkent, police blocked local activists in their houses as they were about to go to a rally supporting the Zhanaozen protesters. Police increased patrolling in the area of Al-Farabi Avenue, the ShymkentPlaza shopping mall, the Arbat and Kyzgaldak fountains and Ordabasy Square[10].
On January 3, in Aktobe, about a hundred residents gathered outside the regional Akimat to support the protests in Zhanaozen. People said that the rise in prices became unbearable everywhere and demanded that the government reduce the price of liquefied natural gas. The area of the square near the Akimat was cordoned off, and there were reports of several activists being detained[11].
On January 3, in Uralsk, Yeskendirova-Maruya, Orazbaev Amangeldy, Kaiyrbaev Darkhan and Vasily Khasanov were taken to the police. All of them at the time of their arrest were on their way to the square for a peaceful rally in support of the Zhanaozen residents. There were also six people arrested near the central square named after Abay, located near the city’s Akimat[12].
On January 3, a government commission was established by order of Prime Minister A. Mamin to address the socio-economic situation in the Mangistau region. The government announced that a package of measures to regulate the price of liquefied petroleum gas would be implemented. The Agency for the Protection and Promotion of Competition initiated an investigation into the owners of gas stations with regard to price collusion[13].
On January 3, the Akimat of the Mangistau region said that gas prices would be reduced from 120 to 85-90 tenge. Protesters demanded to return the old prices of 50 tenge per liter. The Minister of Energy was asked whether these prices would be brought back? “To date, we do not see such a possibility,” Minister Mirzagaliyev Magzum replied[14].
On January 3, in Zhanaozen, the oblast Akim Nogayev arrived together with the director of the Kazakh gas processing plant Tulepov Nakbergen and Zhanaozen Akim Ibagarov Maksat. Protesters met the delegation with posters saying: “Gas for 50 tenge!”, “Mineral resources are the wealth of the people!”, “We’re sick and tired of fairy tales!”. Protesters chased Nurlan Nogaev, Akim of the region, away from the square[15].
January 3, Zhanaozen, protesters began to make political demands, in particular the election of the Akims. They said that they were not satisfied with the way the city and regional authorities reacted to the recent events and that the authorities were not able to address any issues[16].
On January 3, oil workers of the Kalamkas and Karazhanbas oil fields refused to show up for work. Workers rallied outside the workers’ barracks, demanding lower gas prices[17].
On January 3, in Aktau, protesters expressed their readiness to talk to the government and their intention to keep protesting until their main demands are met: 1. To resume the Internet in Aktau, so that their demands can be heard by all Kazakhstanis and the authorities; 2. To reduce gas prices to 50 tenge; 3. To raise salaries and improve the welfare of the residents; 4. To remove law enforcement officers from areas around their households[18].
On January 3, in Aktau, there was another rally against rising gas prices held in the parking lot in front of the perinatal center in the district No. 11a. There were about 200 car owners. The drivers insisted that the cost of gas should be lowered to 60 tenge. After the meeting, protesters dispersed peacefully[19].
On January 3, in Aktau, about 1,000 people protested on Yntymak Square. It was reported that the National Guard troops have arrived and that the regional Akimat has been surrounded by law enforcement officers. Police officers used kettling techniques, holding hands and pushing protesters back by force, which makes it impossible for people to leave. There were no comments from the official authorities[20].
On January 3, at least 69 people who protested or planned to protest in support of the Zhanaozen protests over higher gas prices were arrested in different regions of Kazakhstan. Three people were detained at the Kenesary monument in Nur-Sultan, 20 people were arrested in Almaty, 3 people – in Semey, 4 people – in Uralsk. In Atyrau, four local residents including activist Maks Bokayev were detained[21].
On January 3, in Almaty, 21 persons who had gathered for a rally to “support Zhanaozen” were detained and later placed under administrative arrest for up to 15 days under Article 488 Part 6 of the Code of Administrative Infringements of the Republic of Kazakhstan[22].
On January 4, in Almaty, more than a hundred protesters headed by Zhanbolat Mamay, leader of the Democratic Party, gathered outside the Almaty Arena Ice Palace, chanting slogans supporting protesters in the Mangistau region. The members of the “OYAN Kazakhstan” movement also gathered to protest near the 1st President’s Park, and were joined by a group of about a hundred young people. All of them headed in a procession down Mustafin Street, chanting “Oyan, Kazakstan”. Police detentions began at both protest sites[23].
On January 4, in Almaty, police detained about 100 people protesting near the Almaty Arena. Another fifty people were arrested by police when the police dispersed the “Oyan, Kazakhstan” movement procession in the area of the 1st President’s Park[24].
On January 4, in Uralsk, about 500 people gathered for the second day of protests. They gathered at the Dina hypermarket on the outskirts of the city and marched towards the Samara-Shymkent highway, intending to block it, but the security officers blocked the way with a live ring. People broke through police cordons and headed to the city center. Protesters’ demands: lower gas and food prices, the resignation of the regional Akim and the entire government. There were a lot of police in the center, mobile Internet was blocked[25].
On January 4, in Uralsk, more than 80 drivers of GAZelle vehicles gathered in Abay Square at midnight. As they said, the police, which cordoned off the surrounding areas, prevented many of them from reaching the place of the rally. They demanded to lower the gas price to 50 tenge, as well as the price of food and utilities[26].
On January 4, in Atyrau, more than a thousand people gathered in Isatai and Makhambet Square, the security forces were trying to block the square, but protesters made their way with slogans: “Cut the price of gas!”, “Release Maks Bokaev!”, “Shal ket!”, “Government to resign!”. The surrounding area was cordoned off by police officers [27].
On January 4, in Taraz, local people gathered in front of the Akimat to support protesters in Zhanaozen. The police officers immediately proceeded to brutally detain protesters and journalists. The press service of the police department declined to comment on the detentions [28].
On January 4, in Karaganda, about 200 people gathered in a square in the southeastern part of the city to show their solidarity with the Mangistau region protesters who were demanding lower gas prices. The gathered inhabitants also complained about the increase in food prices and demanded to lower these prices; they also demanded that the Akim of the region come and talk to them. There were no detentions or crackdowns of the rally[29].
On January 4, in Aktobe, the drivers of vehicles using liquefied gas broke through the cordon on the avenue and marched to the Regional Akimat building. Protesters gathered in front of the Regional Akimat building and on the avenue. Protesters’ demands: cutting the price of liquefied gas by half from 120 to 50 tenge and former Kazakh president Nazarbayev’s withdrawal from politics. Police detained about 50 people, there was no mobile Internet[30].
On January 4, in the village of Makat, Atyrau region, about a dozen people gathered at the railway station to show their solidarity with protesters in the Mangistau region. They informed journalists that they would try to block the railroad at this point, but a group of police officers stopped them. Having failed to block the railroad, the gathered residents of Makat said they intended to block the section of the highway near their village[31].
On January 4, in the Karaganda region, rallies in support of Zhanaozen were held in Zhanaarkin and Osakarov districts of the Karaganda region and in the cities of Zhezkazgan and Satpayev. On January 5, it was reported that employees of the Kazakhmys Corporation from the Zhezkazgan region went on strike during a rally. They made a number of demands to the administration, the main of which was a hundred percent increase in wages[32].
On 4 January, in the village of Saryagash, Turkestan region, near the house of Amangeldy Batyrbekov, editor of the newspaper Saryagash-info, unknown gunmen shot and wounded his son Dinmukhamed. Batyrbekov connects this attack with his journalistic activities. Police have not yet commented on the incident[33].
On January 4, in Kaskelen, activists organized an action called “Kazakhstan is a big prison”. They chained themselves with metal chains to a lattice cage on wheels; there were two people in this cage. They marched together towards the local Akimat, chanting on their way: “We support Zhanaozen!”, “Freedom to political prisoners!”, “Kazakhstan is a big prison”. Seven participants of the rally were detained[34].
On January 4, in Shymkent city, Oralbay Adlet was detained on suspicion of participation in the protests. A video of protesters with Adlet’s comments “Shal ket!” was found in his phone. He was charged with terrorism due to this fact. Adlet’s mother was at the police station when she saw two policemen taking him into the restroom. His face appeared unrecognizable; he was beaten and could not open his eyes.[35].
January 4, Kostanay, a rally in front of the regional Akimat building in support of the protesters of Zhanaozen and against the increase in gas prices, was quickly dispersed by security forces and police. Since several dozen of Kostanay citizens have taken part in the rally[36].
On January 4, in Almaty, Kasym Amanzhol, RFE/RL’s Almaty bureau chief, was unlawfully detained in the course of his professional activities[37].
On January 4, the KazTAG website became inaccessible after it refused to remove an article about the protests as it was demanded by the ministry of information[38].
On January 4, the Orda website was blocked after posting that protesters have radicalized their slogans and no longer only demand gas at 50 tenge, but the resignation of the Akim, the government, Tokayev and Nazarbayev[39].
On January 4, in Shymkent, city residents protesting peacefully against a gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods (from 2 to 15 days) under Article 488, 476, and 478 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan[40].
On January 4, in Nur-Sultan, police detained Darhan Omirbek, editor of Radion Azattyk, when he was covering a protest near the Asem market, and held him at the police station for more than four hours. [41].
On January 4, in Almaty, activist Abishev Aset was taken off the bus by the security forces, beaten and taken into custody. Provisional diagnosis: Superficial head trauma, soft tissue bruises of the scalp. Soft tissue bruises at the upper and middle thirds of the back, soft tissue bruises of the outer surface of the left thigh and the lumbosacral region[42].
On January 5, in Nur-Sultan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that they detained more than 200 people “for disturbing the peace”. The authorities did not report about any victims among protesters. As stated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 13 cases of “violence against representatives of the authorities, hooliganism, and attacks on the buildings of state bodies” are being investigated. “As a result of unlawful acts, 95 police officers were injured. 37 official vehicles were damaged”,- the Ministry reported[43].
On January 5, in Almaty, all police departments were closed. It was not clear where all the detainees are, neither relatives, colleagues, nor lawyers were able to access them. According to some unconfirmed reports, more than 1000 people were detained in AlmatyIt was not clear whether these people were alive or wounded, whether they were beaten and whether they needed some medical help. Human rights activist Toregozhina Bakhytzhan addressed the Ombudsman Elvira Azimova with a request to demand urgently the lists of detainees and make them public[44].
On January 5, by his Decrees the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency: in connection with a serious and immediate threat to the safety of citizens in order to ensure public security, restore the rule of law and order, and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens: 1.To declare a state of emergency within the city of Almaty for the period from 01:30 a.m. on January 5, 2022, until 00 a.m. on January 19, 2022.2 To impose a curfew in the city of Almaty from 23 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the period of the state of emergency. 3. To establish a commandant’s office of the city of Almaty for the period of the state of emergency and give it responsibilities provided by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State of Emergency”. To appoint Kanat Daniyarovich Taimerdenov, the Chief of the Almaty Police Department, as the Commandant of the city of Almaty. Nur-Sultan, Akorda, 5 January 2022. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tokayev K., No. 725[45].
On January 5, in Nur-Sultan, a state of emergency was declared: in connection with a serious and immediate threat to the safety of citizens in order to ensure public security, restore the rule of law and order, and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens: 1.To declare a state of emergency in the city of Nur-Sultan for the period from 4 p.m. on January 5, 2022 until 00 a.m. on January 19, 2022 .2 To impose a curfew in the city of Almaty from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the period of the state of emergency. 3. To establish a commandant’s office of the city of Nur-Sultan for the period of the state of emergency and give it responsibilities provided by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State of Emergency”. To appoint Yerzhan Saparbekovich Sadenov, the Chief of the Nur-Sultan City Police Department, as the Commandant of the city of Nur-Sultan. Nur-Sultan, Akorda, 5 January 2022. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tokayev K., No. 732[46].
On January 5, in the Mangistau region, a state of emergency was declared: in connection with a serious and immediate threat to the safety of citizens in order to ensure public security, restore the rule of law and order, and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens: 1.To declare a state of emergency in the Mangistau region for the period from 1:30 am on January 5, 2022, until 00:00 am on January 19, 2022. 2 To impose a curfew in the Mangistau region from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the period of the state of emergency. 3. To establish a commandant’s office of the Mangistau region for the period of the state of emergency and give it responsibilities provided by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State of Emergency”. To appoint Baktybaev Zhanarbek Telyubekovich, the Chief of the Mangistau Region Police Department, as the Commandant of the Mangistau Region. Nur-Sultan, Akorda, 5 January 2022. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tokayev K., No. 726[47].
On January 5, the state of emergency was declared throughout the Republic of Kazakhstan. Before that, it was declared in four regions, in Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Almaty region, and Mangistau region. The authorities made such a decision against the background of the protests lasting for the fourth day[48].
On January 5, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan’s government was dismissed amid ongoing protests, a decree to this effect was signed by President Tokayev K.
During a meeting on social and economic issues, Tokayev held the Cabinet of Ministers responsible for the crisis, as well as the national energy companies[49].
On January 5, in Almaty, near Altyn Ordy, police tried to stop protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets against them. Roads were blocked and public transport was stopped[50].
On January 5, in Almaty, the office of the Nur-Otan party, located in the building of the Aisultan business center on Tole-bi street, was on fire. There were no fire-fighting vehicles at the scene of the fire – no one extinguished the fire, and there were no police officers on the street either[51].
On January 5, in Almaty, the Republic Square was blocked by the military and vehicles. Demonstrators armed themselves with rubber truncheons, sticks, and shields and began to storm the city Akimat building, and the police responded with stun grenades. Thousands of protesters broke through the police cordon and occupied the Akimat, windows and doors were broken, the building was on fire. A column of security forces fleeing from the side of the Akimat was observed along Kozybaeva Street, claps and siren sounds could be heard[52].
On January 5, in Almaty, Bagdat Asylbek, a correspondent and editor of Orda.kz, was detained near Republic Square in Almaty at night after he had filmed the riot police operatives shooting at a group of people. Despite the fact that he had an official ID card and a special blue vest, they forced him into a police van and seized his documents and cell phone and demanded to delete the video[53].
On January 5, in Zhanaozen, about 12 thousand protesters made the following demands to the authorities: 1. regime change; 2. holding popular elections of the Akim in each region and city, people should elect the Akim of their choice; 3. return of the 1993 Constitution; 4. civil activists should not be subjected to persecution; 5. The coming to power of a person who is outside the system and recognized as revolutionary; a person who does not belong to the government circles. Kuryltay of aksakals was established in Zhanaozen, mobile Internet access was not available[54].
On January 5, in Aktau, in Yntymak Square, about six thousand people kept protesting, despite promises by the authorities to reduce gas prices. They demanded an end to the persecution of protesters, in other regions[55].
On January 5, in Uralsk, there were several hundred protesters on Abay Square at midnight, earlier in the evening there were about 1000-1200 people. There was an attempt to occupy the building of the regional Akimat. The security forces began dispersing protesters. At about 03:10 a.m. the first explosions occurred, and 15 minutes later the rally was dispersed. There was no Internet in the city due to the state of emergency[56].
On January 5, in Uralsk, city residents who protested peacefully against a gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488, Article 476 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK. Warnings were issued for some of them[57].
On January 5, in Nur-Sultan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan said that more than 200 people have been detained in the crackdown on demonstrations in some regions. “Pre-trial investigations have been opened into 13 cases of violence against government officials, hooliganism, and attacks on government buildings”, the Ministry said[58].
On January 5, in Atyrau, protesters demanded not only lower gas prices, but also lower prices for food, higher wages, and credit amnesty. Maks Bokaev called for the observance of order and recommended not to give a microphone to drunk people[59].
On January 5, in the Atyrau region, rallies against the gas price increase were held in three districts of the region, protesters were going to keep protesting until their demands were satisfied. Organizers set up yurts and provided protesters with hot lunches [60].
On January 5, in Shymkent, protesters sang the anthem of Kazakhstan and shouted slogans: “Shal, ket!”, “Nazarbayev, go away!”, “Wake up, Kazakhs!”, “Kazakhstan, go ahead!”/ They also continued to put forward their demands: “No increase in the price of gas and food”, “Increase in wages”. The deputy Akim of the city and the chief of the city police department came out to the protesters and urged them to respect the rule of law and leave the square. Provocateurs began to overturn and burn vehicles. The Akimat was stormed, protesters managed to seize the building, but later they were driven out. Local police used water cannons; gas and fired live ammunition, there were wounded and killed[61].
On January 5, in Ust-Kamenogorsk, about a thousand people marched on the square of the Republic and expressed their discontent with the prices of fuel, food and the work of public transport. They demanded the regional Akim Akhmetov to come out. Akim of the city Zhaksylyk Omar came out to the protesters. Men who had gathered in the central square of the city were shouting a demand: to release the activists who had been detained the day before. The prosecutor came out to protesters and said that the cases of the detainees would be dealt with in a lawful manner. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades[62].
On January 5, in Ust-Kamenogorsk, 203 city residents who took part in a peaceful protest against a gas price increase were detained with the use of force and placed under administrative arrest for different terms under Article 488 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Also they were fined[63].
On January 5, in Semey city, people started to gather in the square around 5 p.m. The police, which had cordoned off the central square in the early morning, did not interfere with the beginning of the rally, nor did they block Internet and mobile communication in the city. The protest proceeded peacefully until 8 p.m. The city Akim appeared to the protesters. The protesters themselves urged people “not to fall victim to provocations”. At about 8:30 p.m., when mobile communications and the Internet were cut off, clashes with the police began. As a result of the conflict, the building of the city Akimat was seized [64].
On January 5, in Pavlodar, protesters gathered in the city center in support of the protest in Zhanaozen and made the following demands: “For fair elections, the establishment of a parliamentary republic, for reduction of gas, gasoline and coal prices”. Pensioners have voiced their dissatisfaction with small pensions. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s ineffective leadership[65].
On January 5, in Ekibastuz, a rally was held, where citizens spoke out about the events in the country and made several demands: Change of the political system, the release of all those illegally detained, the dismissal of the city’ Akim and the election of a new one, Solidarity with the workers in Zhanaozen, a parliamentary republic, the release of political prisoners, an end to political repression against civilians, an increase in wages”[66].
On January 5, according to the Almaty Department of Public Health, 190 people applied to hospitals, 150 of them were taken to hospitals by ambulance and 40 people applied to hospitals independently. There were 40 people hospitalized, including 7 patients treated in intensive care, 4 of them were police officers. Among all the injured there were 137 police officers and 53 civilians[67].
On January 5, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez made a statement that he is “closely monitoring the situation in Kazakhstan. The senator noted that “any violent crackdown by the government would have serious consequences for U.S.-Kazakhstan bilateral relations. The right to peaceful protest is inalienable”[68].
On January 5, the European Union spokesperson called upon the Kazakhstani authorities “to respect the fundamental right to peaceful protest and proportionality when defending its legitimate security interests, and to uphold its international commitments”[69].
On January 5, in Karaganda, at night the law enforcement agencies closed the street in the city, where protesters had gathered. There were a lot of riot police officers and special vehicles. All cellular operators stopped working, and there was no internet connection as well. Many protesters remained cordoned off in the square, where they were rallying in support of Zhanaozen, There was no information about the detention of protesters. But some activists were unavailable on their cell phones[70].
On January 5, in Petropavlovsk, only residents of North Kazakhstan region participated in an unauthorized rally, which was held in the center of the city. The police detained 121 people at the rally. 16 people were brought to administrative charges. At the moment they are under arrest, two participants were arrested for 30 days[71].
January 5, in Aktobe, protesters demanded a meeting with the regional Akim Ondasyn Urazalin. Akim of the city Shakharov Askhat met with them, who reported that the demands of the crowd were met: the price of gas was reduced to 50 tenge, the detainees were released, and however, the protesters did not disperse. Police left the building of the regional Akimat cordoned off. Part of the protesters at about 2 p.m. dared to storm the regional Akimat and the police used force[72].
On January 5, in Kostanay, at 11:00 a.m., a few hundred people gathered on the square near the regional Akimat. They demanded to reduce the price not only for liquefied gas, but also for diesel fuel. They also demanded to lower the retirement age, real estate and food prices, and to pay more attention to the Kazakh language. The city Akim and the regional Akim met with protesters. The protesters were cordoned off in a double ring, kettling technique was applied to them, some people were detained[73].
On January 5, in Taldykorgan, the protests, which started on January 3, continued on January 5-6. Protesters demanded decrease in prices for gas and foodstuffs. The Akim of the region Bozumbayev tried to pacify the people and used foul language. The security forces during this time have been intimidating peaceful protesters, approaching them with shields, spraying gas, and trying to obstruct the rallies. The protesters attempted to storm the Akimat and demolished former President Nazarbayev’s monument. Unrest in the center eased on January 6, and then the police and military began a “counter-terrorist operation” in the city involving weapons[74].
January 5, Kyzylorda, the rally began on January 4, the protesters claimed that gasoline and food were getting more expensive, gas prices have doubled, and tolls were being charged for driving on the highway. Political demands were also heard: “Shal, ket!”, “Government to resign!”. The Akim of the city Kazantayev and the Akim of the region Abdykhalykova addressed the protesters, but the protesters paid no heed to their words. There was an attempt to seize the Akimat and the police department. On January 6, the protest was crushed with weapons, grenades and gas. There were people detained[75]. Besides, from the words of citizens, the court buildings, two buildings of the Nur Otan party, police booths were burned, the regional Akimat was vandalized; there was an attack on the city Akimat and two buildings of the City Department of Internal Affairs in the city of Kyzylorda.
On January 5, in Zhezkazgan, miners of Kazakhmys Corporation and city inhabitants joined them continued their second day of rallies. On the night of January 6 they went to the Akimat building and stayed there, periodically replacing each other. The participants’ demands: reducing the retirement age of miners, lower prices, and guarantees of freedom of protesters, were handed over to the Akim of Zhezkazgan[76].
January 5, Spokesman Ned Price’s statement on behalf of the U.S. Department of State: We are closely following the situation in Kazakhstan, which is a valued partner. We condemn the acts of violence and destruction of property and call for restraint by both the authorities and protestors,” We ask all Kazakhstanis to respect and protect constitutional institutions, human rights and media freedom, including through the restoration of internet service. We urge all parties to find a peaceful resolution of the state of emergency[77].
On January 5, Nursultan, in the evening, the President of Kazakhstan, K. Tokayev, appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for assistance. After Tokayev’s appeal, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who heads the Collective Security Council (CSTO), announced the decision to send a collective peacekeeping force to Kazakhstan “for a limited period of time in order to stabilize and normalize the situation in that country”[78].
On January 5, in Almaty, unidentified individuals attacked and beat up Zhanbolat Mamai, the leader of the unregistered Democratic Party. When he came to the Republic Square to attend a rally, an aggressive group of people attacked Mamai threatening him with a gun. He had to leave the square[79].
On January 5, in Taraz, protesters seized the building of the regional Akimat, the Nur-Otan building, and three police buildings. In the Zhambyl region, 2,723 people who participated in the mass protests of January 4-6 were taken to police stations. Criminal cases against 57 persons are being investigated. Administrative proceedings were instituted against 573 individuals (186 persons were placed under arrest for 15 days, 52 persons were fined, and 335 received warnings)[80].
January 5, Taraz, “The most tragic events in the city occurred on the night of January 5-6, 2022. A group of up to 350 people made attempts to seize the department of the CNS in the Zhambyl region with the use of firearms and “Molotov cocktails”. Lieutenant Colonel Darkhan Adilbay, Head of the Department of the Anti-Terrorist Center of the NSC regional Department (DKNB) , died from his wounds”, the NSC reported[81].
On January 5, in Almaty, Kiysimbayev Akylzhan was shot and wounded and later was hospitalized. On January 8, he was forcibly taken to pre-trial detention facility LA-155/18, where he was subjected to torture. Torture sessions took place in a torture chamber with a saw, scissors, and knives hanging on the walls, and fixings for strapping people down. On January 25, due to public pressure, Akylzhan was released from the pre-trial detention center, but the fabricated criminal charges against him were not closed. He applied to the healthcare institutions, but they refused him on the grounds that “they don’t need any problems”[82].
On January 5, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in his address to the nation, said that he would assume the leadership of the Republic’s Security Council, displacing Nazarbayev from that position. He also denied any information that he has left the country. “No matter what happens, I will stay in the capital. In the near future I will come up with new proposals for the political transformation of Kazakhstan,” the President said. [83].
On January 5, in Atyrau, there were clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces near the building of the regional Akimat and in its surroundings. The police used tear gas and grenades. One of the protesters was killed, two were wounded, and many other people suffered injuries. But there were victims on both sides[84].
On January 5, in Atyrau, after clashes and negotiations with protesters, the police have gone over to the side of the people[85].
On January 5, in Pavlodar, about a thousand protesters stormed the Akimat building, but the police formed the battle order, turned on sirens, used flash-bang grenades and special equipment. The protesters were dispersed from the square and there were mass detentions, which lasted until late in the evening. For participation in an unauthorized rally 435 people were brought to administrative responsibility, 324 of them were placed under administrative arrest, 18 citizens were fined.[86].
On January 5, in Ust-Kamenogorsk, protesters tried to break through to the regional Akimat. The security forces held their ground for several hours. The police reported that three people had been killed and 69 policemen and servicemen had been injured. Eleven police vehicles were destroyed and ten were damaged. More than 1000 people were detained and 66 people were arrested[87].
On January 5, in Kyzylorda, at noon, protesters attacked the Akimat’s gate. Grenades were exploding, gunshots were heard, people broke windows of the Akimat building, clashes in front of the Akimat’s gate took only 10 minutes, and then the riot police retreated. People went inside and pulled out the flag; some of the cars in front of the akimat were burned. Shots were heard in the city, riots began and there were no police cars on the streets. About 10 buildings of state institutions were damaged and more than 30 cars were burned. The regional court building on the central square of the city was severely damaged. 26 business facilities were attacked by looters. They suffered a total loss of more than 400 million tenge. As of today, 515 people have been brought to the police, 72 suspects have been placed in temporary detention facilities, and one person has been killed[88].
On January 5, in Kostanay city, everything was quiet, only in the evening, a bunch of people, local residents, came out to a peaceful rally; they demanded from the government to make some specific changes: orphaned children spoke about getting housing, gas workers spoke about the price of gas. The pogroms started at about 12 AM, the crowd got divided: someone started breaking out the benches, and then there was an order to disperse the crowd. The police used gas, special bullets, and water cannons. Protesting activists were taken into police cars. By 1 a.m. almost nothing had happened, although the police spoke about some outside forces. But where this force came from, from which regions, how many people – these questions were not answered by the police[89].
On January 6 in Almaty, unarmed people who were against the introduction of CSTO troops were in the square holding slogans such as “Peacekeepers with guns are not peacekeepers”, “People are not terrorists”, and “Yrma, Atpa!” (“Don’t hit, don’t shoot!”). They wrote a poster on a piece of cloth saying “We are ordinary people. We are not terrorists” and chanted their demands. There was no one on the square from 4 to 6 p.m.: no military, no police, and no representatives of Akimats and government agencies. At 6:30 p.m. the first shots rang out, stun grenades were fired, and the military, who were ordered by the President to “shoot to kill”, began firing at the unarmed protesters. The military fully occupied the square, only the dead and wounded left among the protesters[90].
On January 6, in Taldykorgan, 67 citizens protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they were also issued warnings[91].
On January 6, in Kokshetau, 54 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488, Article 476 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition they received fines and warnings[92].
On January 6, in Kokshetau, journalist Smagul Bakhyt, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Bukpa, was sentenced to 5 days of arrest under Article 476 part 1 paragraph 3 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for participating in an unauthorized rally. He was fulfilling his professional duty on the day of the rally, but was detained along with other protesters[93].
On January 6, in Petropavlovsk, 10 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488, Article 476 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan [94].
On January 6, in Karaganda, 7 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they were also issued warning[95].
On January 6, in Semey, there were assassination attempts on activists and their family members by the security forces, including violent arrests and severe beatings[96].
On January 6, in Aktau, authorities unlawfully detained participants of a peaceful protest and leaders of the trade union movement Yeleusinov Amin, Kosshygulov Kuspan, Erdanov Tamir, Sabit and Zhalgas (last names unknown). These unlawful detentions took place amid the statements of the authorities on alleged guarantees not to persecute the peaceful protesters. Peaceful protesters demanded that they be released and taken back to the place of a peaceful rally[97].
January 6, Taldykorgan, Ilyas Dukenbaev, Article 291 Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK; his wife Tumenova Gulzhana said that after detention Ilyas was tortured and beaten, at first in the Department of Internal Affairs, then in the temporary detention facility and further in the pre-trial detention facility. The torture and humiliation went on for a week without interruption. She was also forbidden to act as a public defender[98].
On January 6, Zhotabayev Zhandos was detained in Semey city for participation in protests under Article 269, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On January 8, he was placed in a temporary detention facility and remained there until January 17. When medical workers arrived at the TDF, they found him dead. His brother said that Zhandos had 11 broken ribs, a broken nose, fluid in his lungs or pleurisy, and bruises all over his body. Zhandos’s brother was not given a medical report[99].
On January 6, in Semey, Zholatov Aziz was detained at work by the riot police. They started beating Aziz in front of his girlfriend without any explanation; they held a gun to her head. When they took him to the police, he was unconscious. His mother, Anar Kalieva, was put in the same room and tied to a chair; she could hear her son being beaten and his cries. By these actions they inflicted psychological suffering on her. They beat him with their hands, feet and truncheons; they threatened to rape him with a truncheon. His sister Kerbez Eginbayeva found him in the pre-trial detention facility in Ust-Kamenogorsk[100].
January 6, Semey, Sultanbekov Kenzhebek, Article 269, Part 3 and Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK. “He showed me his legs: they are all blue and swollen now. He was beaten on the 6th and there are still blue bruises on his back in the area of his kidneys. He says he has a problem even going to the restroom. He is in a very bad condition; he has hematomas on his back and his legs. His legs were swollen: they beat him on his kidneys. They beat him on the head. They beat him brutally and repeatedly with truncheons. He lost a lot of weight, he gave up” – the activist’s wife said after he was released from the detention center[101].
On January 6, in Almaty, it became known about the first victim of the shooting of peaceful protest by the military, civil activist Nuraliya Aitkulova. She was killed on the square, two bullets in the right chest were fatal for Nuraliya. She was badly bruised, the back of her head smashed[102].
On January 6, in Almaty, there was another victim of the military mop-up operation, Sholpan Begaidarova. In the evening she went to the pharmacy to buy medicine for the children because two of the children had a fever. It was near the junction of Furmanov Street and Satpayev Street, when she heard the shots and was hit by three bullets; she could barely stay alive[103].
January 6, Almaty, another lie of the authorities, the Deputy Head of the Department of Internal Affairs of Almaty Mr. Abdrakhmanov has explained why there were no police officers on the streets of Almaty on January 5-6[104].
On January 7, in Aktobe, 69 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488, Article 487 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; In addition they received fines and warnings[105].
On January 7, in. Kostanay, 175 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488, Article 476 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan[106].
On January 7, in Semey city, 91 city residents protesting peacefully against a gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488 Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK; they were also fined in the amount of 91890 tenge[107].
On January 7, in Pavlodar, 109 city residents peacefully protesting against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488, Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they also received a warning and were fined 64,323 tenge[108].
On January 7, in Taraz, 59 city residents peacefully protesting against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 476 Part 61 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they also received a warning and were fined 30,630 tenge[109].
On January 7, in Ekibastuz, 59 city residents peacefully protesting against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they also received a warning and were fined 92,890 tenge[110].
On January 7, in Kentau, Kaskelen, Zhezkazgan, 29 towns’ residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative detention under Art. 488, Part 6, Art. 434, Part 1, Article 476, Part 1 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they also received warnings and were fined in the amount of 30630 tenge[111].
On January 7, in Temirtau, Kulsary, Aksai, 21 residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488,Part 6, Article 476, Part 1, paragraph 10 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK; they also received a warning and were fined 91890 tenge[112].
On January 7, in Shymkent, Ashtayev Zhanmurat and Sultanbek Kairat were detained for two months under Article 269 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for their alleged “participation in protests and attacks on state institutions”. Ashtayev was beaten at the time of his arrest[113].
January 7, in Almaty, a statement of representatives of civil society of Kazakhstan was published: “We – members of the closed, banned and unregistered opposition parties, journalists of independent mass media, critics of the authoritarian regime in Kazakhstan believe: “That the introduction of CSTO troops into our country at the call of President Tokayev is not only an unjustified, but also a politically short-sighted decision”[114].
January 7, Kyzylorda region, Aydos Tolegenov, Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK; he has a gunshot wound and was forcibly taken to a pre-trial detention facility. Aydos’ wife said that her husband was put to torture. The police officers took out the post-operative stitches on his leg and kicked the wound, after which the wound has become infected and his leg has swollen; no medical care was provided in the pre-trial detention center. In addition, they forced him under torture to incriminate himself for something he did not do[115].
On January 7, a citizen of Kyrgyzstan Ruzakhunov Vikram was detained in Almaty. He was forced under torture to incriminate himself that he had allegedly agreed to participate in pogroms and looting for $200. The torture was different – they beat him with their fists, kicked him all over his body, put a gun to his head, beat him on his head, legs, and back with iron chains. They beat him with a wooden mop until it splintered into pieces. They stripped him down to his underpants, put him on the dirty floor face down and kicked him from all sides, and hit him on the spine with a machine gun from above. The medical examinations showed chest injuries, rib fractures, pneumothorax, concussion, and hematomas. The musician was operated on and he is in the hospital now[116]. Ruzakhunov was released and left for Kyrgyzstan.
On January 7, in Taldykorgan, Aitmolda Raybek, a 15-year-old teenager, who was released from custody after a month in the Taldykorgan pre-trial detention facility, recounted about torture. In the words of his father, his son’s back was burnt with an iron – the same method of beating out testimony was previously reported by other detainees in Taldykorgan[117].
January 7, Akzhol Zhandarbekov, who suffered a gunshot wound during the January events, remains in custody in Almaty. He was wounded in the crotch and the police took him out of the hospital two days after the operation. Zhandarbekov’s older sister said that he has been tortured. The man was placed in a solitary confinement, and his health condition deteriorated. They refuse to release him from custody[118].
January 7, Nur-Sultan, Order of President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev: Law enforcement agencies and the army of Kazakhstan should shoot at the criminals to kill them. The authorities do not intend to negotiate with terrorists. The President said that the police and the army received a respective order from him. The President of the country stated this in the air of Kazakh TV channels[119].
On January 8, in Turkestan, 45 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and arrested for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488 Part 6, Article 667 Part 1, Article 476 Part 1, 10 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK; they also received a warning and were fined 30,630 tenge[120].
On January 8, in Taraz, Kumekov Abilhair was arrested on suspicion of participating in the January protests, a criminal case under Article 269 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan was opened[121].
On January 8, in Almaty, Makhanbaev Kosaya was arrested on suspicion of participating in the January protests, and a criminal case under Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK was opened. He has a gunshot wound to the leg[122].
On January 8, in the East Kazakhstan region, the police department reported on 500 detainees. On January 10, the official figure unexpectedly increased, now the number of detainees is “more than a thousand. In response to a question by Radio Azattyk as to why the number has skyrocketed in a short period of time, the police department replied that “work is being done in the region to identify and arrest those involved in unlawful acts”[123].
On January 8, in Shymkent city, police officers took Sabitov Aybek and Nurlan Syzdyk from their homes to an undisclosed location, Azattyk’s correspondent reports. [124].
On January 8, in Shymkent, activist Dosmambetova Lyazzat was arrested under Article 269 Part 2, paragraphs 1 and 6 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for her alleged “participation” in the protests[125].
On January 8, in Taldykorgan, Almaty region, a family of three, Nurbolat Seitkulov, Altynai Yetaeva and their 15-year-old daughter Nurayt, were killed by gunfire as they were on their way home. It is reported, it was done by the military[126].
On January 8, in Almaty, Adilbekuly Sayat, who has been hospitalized with a gunshot wound was beaten and forcibly taken from the hospital, to LA-155/18, where he was severely beaten and tortured. On February 6, 2022, Sayat filed a complaint with the prosecutor of Almaty asking to open a criminal case on torture and bring to criminal responsibility all investigators of the investigation team on the case (No. 227 5000 31 000019)[127].
On January 8, in Taldykorgan, MukashevAlmas was detained with a severe beating on suspicion of participating in protests. His relatives would later find him dead, with handcuff marks on his hands, a fractured skull; both of his arms and legs were broken, including broken ribs, and fingers on his hands. The relatives of the deceased were given a medical certificate, and on the first page it says that no cause of death was found. But on the second page, the expert Zhenis Aubakirov stated that death was caused by head injury and traumatic subdural hemorrhage; the forensic expert thus tried to hide the real cause of death so that Almas’s killers can avoid punishment[128].
On January 9, in Aktobe, police detained at least five activists who had protested against the government in early January.The Aktobe police reported that 89 people were taken to police stations and charged with breaking curfew. 32 of them were brought to administrative responsibility[129].
On January 9, Daryn Nursapara, editor of the Altaynews.kz website, was sentenced by a court in East Kazakhstan to 15 days of arrest under Article 488 Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for participating in an unlawful public action on the grounds that he posted on his Facebook page details of a peaceful protest. This site is part of the ShygysAkparat holding company of the Internal Policy Department of the East Kazakhstan region[130].
On January 9, in Almaty, a criminal case was opened against Palmaganbet Islam under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK on suspicion of participation in the January protests. He has a gunshot wound on his leg; he was taken from the hospital to a pre-trial detention facility, tortured and beaten [131].
On January 9, in Almaty, police officers took from his house Anafiyoyev Zhasulan, who participated in the rally on January 5. His body, without a single living place on it, was taken by his relatives from the morgue a few days later. The death certificate says that the man died of pancreatitis. His relatives believe he was brutally tortured[132].
On January 9, Josep Borrel, high representative of the European Union (EU) for foreign affairs and security policy, commented on the situation in Kazakhstan and said that the EU was ready to help the country to resolve the situation peacefully. He urged member countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and Russia to respect Kazakhstan’s independence. “Military support from outside must be attracted with respect for Kazakhstan’s independence and integrity and human rights. We urge the Kazakh authorities in this difficult time to preserve the rights and freedoms of citizens, the rights to peaceful assembly and to receive information,” Borrel said[133].
On January 9, the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan denied the information about 164 people who died during the riots. Earlier on Sunday, the information about 164 people died was published in the telegram channel of the Ministry of Information and Social Development. Later, the Ministry said the publication was a “technical error”. Khabar 24 TV channel published a retraction in the crawl line. Reports about “164 dead” were posted by many international news agencies. In total, about 6,000 people have been detained in recent days, according to the authorities of Kazakhstan, and most of them, as the official data suggests, have not been accused of crimes and violent acts[134].
On January 9, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken denounced Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s “shoot-to-kill” order and said Washington was seeking clarification on why the Central Asian nation, needed to call in a Russian-led security force amid domestic unrest. (CSTO, Russia-led alliances). “The shoot-to-kill order, to the extent it exists, is wrong and should be rescinded”, Blinken said in an ABC-TV interview[135].
January 9, Almaty, Kim Timur, Article 255, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; “Around 7 pm special police officers in masks and with automatic weapons burst into the home and started beating him in front of his children; then they took him away to an unknown destination. A day later they brought him in handcuffs to conduct a search of the house. That’s when I found out that he was in the Almaty Police Department. He said in tears that he has been beaten and abused the whole night. His clothes were all bloody and torn. When I was changing his clothes because his hands were broken, I noticed that his whole body was bruised”, said Timur’s wife.[136].
On January 9, Kyzylorda, Raimov Yerbol, Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK; “This is our client” – these were the words the police officers said to Yerbol, and then they took him to the 4th floor, where they put him under torture, beating and abuse. As his wife said, he was subjected to strong pressure; he was forced to take the blame upon himself. His body still bears the marks of torture[137].
On January 10, Bishkek, the Ministry of Justice of Kyrgyzstan submitted a request to the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic to initiate a criminal investigation into the case of torture against jazz musician Ruzakhunov Vikram (under Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic – “Torture”) as well as sending an international order-request to Kazakhstan to conduct the required investigative actions against the relevant law enforcement officers of Kazakhstan in accordance with the provisions of the 2002 Chisinau Convention on Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters[138].
On January 10, in Kyzylorda, 82 city residents protesting peacefully against the gas price increase were detained with the use of force and detained for various periods of administrative arrest under Article 488 Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; they also received warnings and were fined 64,323 tenge and 9,1890 tenge[139].
On January 10, in Almaty, as reported by the city commandant’s office, the security operation has continued: law enforcement officers have been operating in the Auezov, Alatau and Medeu districts. “56 people were detained at the roadblocks, 508 people in total, 9 vehicles being of operational interest, 22 weapons and 1,412 rounds of ammunition were seize”, reads the official report[140].
On January 10, in Uralsk, lawyer AbzalKuspan was sentenced to 10 days of arrest under Article 488 Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for participating in an unauthorized rally[141].
January 10 was a day of mourning in Kazakhstan. On January 8, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree declaring January 10 a national day of mourning. The exact number of people killed in what the authorities have called “terrorist attacks” in Kazakhstan is unknown[142].
On January 10, in the Karaganda region, where a critical red level of the terrorist threat was established and an anti-terrorist operation was announced, 128 people were brought to police departments during the period of the state of emergency, as well as 86 cases of violation of the state of emergency were detected. This was reported by the commandant of the Karaganda region Yerlan Fayzullin[143].
On January 10, in Nur-Sultan, relatives were unable to find journalist Abzhan Makhambet, who had been covering the protests in Nur-Sultan. They lost contact with Abzhan five days ago. This was reported to Radio Azattyk by his wife. Abzhan, who has been covering anti-government protests in the capital on January 4, reported on social networks that on the night of January 5 police officers visited his home, he refused to open the door, and then the electricity and internet were cut off in his apartment[144]. A few days later, Abzhan showed up and said he was hiding because of the threat of arrest.
On January 10, in Shymkent city, 177 out of 2,716 people detained during the protests in Shymkent were held administratively liable, 175 of them were placed under arrest for 15 days. Criminal cases were being investigated against 52 people and they were placed in a temporary detention facility. This was reported to Radio Azattyk on Monday by Moldir Bekeyev, press secretary of the city’s police department. [145].
On January 10, in Uralsk, the appeal instance of the city court did not grant the appeal of journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov, who was arrested for 10 days under Article 488, Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of RK, for “participation in an illegal rally”[146].
On January 10, in Kyzylorda, Yernar Abiltayev and Aidos Tolegenov were placed under detention under Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on suspicion of participating in illegal protests in the city. Yernar Abiltayev received a gunshot wound to the shoulder during the dispersal of the protest rally[147].
On January 10, in Aktobe, activist Shamuratov Kuat was taken into custody under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a suspect in the organization of mass disorder and in the “financing of protesters”[148].
On January 10, in Almaty, activist Valiyev Darkhan was arrested under Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on suspicion of organizing an attack on the Department of Internal Affairs of the city of Almaty[149].
On January 10, in Almaty, the human rights defender Zhovtis Yevgeniy explained the causes of the protests at the beginning of January 2022: Unjust resource distribution, lack of social mobility means, illegitimate elections, and repression of freedom of expression and opposition, high level of unemployment, rise of radical Islamic groups, inter-clan fighting[150].
On January 10, the Ministry of Information and Public Development of Kazakhstan informed the Fergana information agency that it “violated the norms” of the Kazakhstani legislation. The reason was the article “Terrorist transit” written by the director of the Fergana information agency where the author writes about the alleged role of the family members of the former president Nazarbayev in the January unrest and pogroms in the country [151].
January 10, Taldykorgan, brothers Ramazan Bakhyt and Daulet, Article 287 Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK; they were detained and beaten on suspicion of participating in protests. In places of detention they were subjected to torture and beatings. They were beaten with a stun gun (which caused burns), strangled with a plastic bag, pushed needles under their fingernails[152].
January 10, Taldykorgan, Dauletbekuly Bagdar, according to his father, his son was interrogated, beaten and tortured. He was charged with false accusations of stealing weapons and looting. He was tortured and called “terrorist” and “enemy of the people”. Daulebek suffered lung and kidney damage. He currently has a problem going to the restroom[153].
On January 10, in Semey, Kaliyev Yeldos was taken to the Department of Internal Affairs for breaking the curfew. On January 12, his body was released to his relatives. A medical examination was conducted: one side of the body in the area of the ribs was pressed inside, one leg was all purple, and the head was bashed in. There were hematomas all over the body, his fingers and toes were punctured[154].
On January 11, in Uralsk, the Appeals Board of the Regional Court of the West Kazakhstan region upheld the arrest of activists Yeskendirova Marua and Orazbayev Amangeldy for 20 days under Article 488 Part 11 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK, for their participation in a rally in front of the city hospital[155].
On January 11, the Akimats of four districts of Turkestan Region confirmed that nine people who were killed in the January events in the city of Shymkent were buried. According to official figures, during the January events ( January 5-6) in Shymkent, four residents of Saryagash District, two residents of Kazygurt District, two residents of Zhetysay District and one resident of Maktaaral District were killed[156].
On January 11, in Taraz, Karzhaubai Asylmurat was taken into custody under Art. 255 Part 1 and Art. 269 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK on suspicion of participating in the protests that took place in the beginning of January in Taraz. During interrogation he was beaten and his nose was broken[157].
On January 11, in Semey, activist Yeginbaeva Kerbez informed that she since January 6 she could not get in contact with her mother and brother. They participated in a protest in the central square. Police officers denied access to the lawyer and refused to give information about the detainees on the basis of the order[158].
On January 11, in Stepnogorsk, after a solitary action of solidarity with the protesters in Zhanaozen, the environmental activist Artem Sochnev got the status of a “witness with the right to a defense” in a criminal case under Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the RK for “inciting social hatred”. The activist was summoned for questioning by the police and was provided with a court-appointed lawyer[159].
On January 11, in Almaty during the January events more than 1,200 people sought medical assistance. “From January 4 until today, 1205 injured people have applied for medical assistance. 329 people have been discharged». According to Nariman Tabynbaeva, Head of the Public Health Department of the city, «176 people remain in the hospital, 18 patients including three children remain in intensive care»[160].
On January 11, in Nur-Sultan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting of the Majilis of the Parliament that the withdrawal of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) troops will begin this week and will take no longer than 10 days[161].
January 11, Alexander Gabuev from the Carnegie Moscow Center: «I don’t think that Moscow can afford to let Tokayev leave». Kazakhstan’s political scene has been cleansed of any prominent opposition leaders and this has called into question the course of the protests and the possibility to join together for further reforms. “The protests have no a particular leader, there is no consolidated opposition, and thus the regime could get back on its feet. The CSTO will not solve any internal problems in the country, will not improve its economic or political situation”, said Erica Marat, Associate Professor at the US National Defense University, – They will strengthen authoritarianism, potentially leading to an escalation of the protest movement in the future»[162].
On 11 January, in Almaty, activist Akayev Sagidoll was taken from his home under threat of being shot; he was beaten and tortured without regard to his advanced age. The grounds for the arrest were his attendance at rallies and support of political prisoners [163].
On January 11, in Almaty, an appeal to President Tokayev was published by representatives of civil society: “In connection with the mass demonstrations and protests of citizens of Kazakhstan in the first days of January, we, representatives of civil society, consider that the authorities have not responded to the demands of the protesters. No one from the officials has come out to negotiate with the protesters in the city of Almaty, which has led to dire consequences[164].
11 января, предварительный списокот правозащитника ТорегожинойБахытжан о мирных граждан пострадавших, либо арестованных, убитых по событиям 4-6 января 2022 года, список постоянно обновляется[165].
January 11, Paris, Statement by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organizations International Legal Initiative and Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights on the January Protests[166].
On January 11, UN human rights experts, in particular Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, condemned the “unrestricted use of force against protesters” in Kazakhstan, including “lethal force”, and called for an independent investigation of such cases[167].
On January 11, Shymkent city, the court authorized the arrest of Kulbaev Yergali, Tataev Nurlybai, Khaidarbekova Karima for two months. On January 11, in Shymkent, the court authorized the arrest of Kulbaev Yergali, Tataev Nurlybai, Khaidarbekova Karima for two months. The activists are charged with Article 293 “hooliganism” and Article 269 “attack on buildings, facilities, means of communication and communication or their capture” of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan[168].
January 11, Nur-Sultan city, statement of lawyer Duisenova: On the order of the first deputy of the Department of police Malybaev B., the head of the special detention center impedes the realization of lawful activity by means of non-admission of a lawyer to the client Altayev N.B., convicted under article 488 Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and deprives him of the right to receive legal assistance and to have a private meeting with his lawyer. However, neither documents, nor grounds for refusal, appeal, and the order of the Chief of Police Malybaev B. were provided[169].
January 11, Taraz city, Yerbolsyn Abdumanap, a 17-year-old teenager was detained. The young guys were held in custody, having been accused of acts of terrorism. They were all accused falsely; they were tortured and forced them to confess[170].
On January 12, in Ust-Kamenogorsk, “three people died as a result of the mass unrest in Ust-Kamenogorsk, civilians”, – said the commandant of the East Kazakhstan region, Dzhunisbekov Serik, adding that during the disorders since January 5 over 1,000 people were brought to the police, 80 of whom were placed in custody[171].
12 January, Aktobe, the Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” reported that police have started to summon journalists for interrogation. Correspondent of KTK in Aktobe Zhanalyk Ahash has already visited the regional police department. Later, journalists of Radio Azattyk and Channel 31 were also summoned[172].
On January 12, in Semey, Sadyrbaeva Raigul, a human rights activist of the movement “Elimay” was detained by the police under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; since January 14, 2021, she was taken into custody for 2 months for the period of pre-trial investigation in the criminal case. She is being prosecuted for having monitored peaceful protests and collected data on human rights violations. Raigul went on hunger strike to protest her unlawful arrest[173].
On January 12, in Aktobe, a criminal case was opened against Bekeyev Ablayhan under Art. 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for his participation in the January protests. He was detained for 72 hours, pending the examining court’s sanction, for the period of the pre-trial investigation[174].
On January 12, in Nur-Sultan, the artist Akhmedyarov Askhat held a performance near the Akorda building to support activists and journalists who were detained after the protests in the capital city. Pieces of white cloth were sewn to his outwear with the words: “Activists are not extremists”, “Freedom to activists”. He was detained by police officers[175].
On January 12, the United Nations (UN) urged the Kazakh authorities to release people who had been detained for participating in peaceful protests, the press service of the organization reported. It is particularly important now to ensure a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into these killings. “And that would include whether unnecessary and disproportionate use of force was made by security force”, – UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Trossel emphasized[176].
On January 12, in Aktobe, Zhursin Zhanagul, a correspondent of Radio Azattyk, was summoned to the police and questioned for three hours. She was informed that she was in the status of a “witness with the right to defense”. People are assigned this status as part of the investigation of criminal cases. Following this a citizen can become a suspect; three hours later, the journalist was released [177].
On January 12, in Kokshetau, Baimuldin Nurzhan, an editor in chief of the Russian news service of the Kokshetau Asia website was arrested for 10 days under Article 478 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for his Facebook post that contained questions addressed to the president of Kazakhstan[178].
January 12, Taldykorgan, Ydyrysov Yerbol; he was beaten, kicked and burned with an iron; there were bruises all over his body. They were beating a confession out of him about where he kept the weapons[179].
On January 13, the Ministry of Information and Public Development released a statement regarding the detentions of journalists: “At the moment in collaboration with law enforcement agencies an inspection is being conducted and all the facts of the detentions are being examined. It is worth noting that the main problems in identifying the facts of detention are the absence of distinctive marks for journalists and this fact caused a problem in granting them access to perform their professional activities”[180].
January 13, Nur-Sultan, the General Prosecutor’s Office provided the following statistical data: 6,966 reports on administrative proceedings were drawn up for offenses committed during the state of emergency, 4,918 people were brought to various kinds of administrative responsibility, which included 1,978 people who were arrested. 791 people were fined and 2,149 people received warnings. There are 2,048 cases pending before the courts. As of today, the investigative teams are investigating 494 criminal cases, including 44 on acts of terrorism, 34 on mass riots and 15 on murders[181].
January 13, Journalists appealed to the government of Kazakhstan: “The Kazakh Telegraph Agency appeals to you with regard to the blocking of the Orda website and the persecution of journalists in several regions of Kazakhstan. We believe that blocking the media and persecuting journalists is the way to more conflicts and injustice, because journalists are the only bridge between society and the government”[182].
On January 13, Amnesty International (AI), an international human rights organization headquartered in London, also urged the authorities to effectively and impartially investigate all reports of violations of the human rights, including the “use of lethal force by the security forces”[183].
January 13, Ekibastuz, “there is lawlessness and torture by the security forces, the head of the police there is Colonel Vasily Sklyar. There are repressions against those who participated in peaceful rallies. They arrest them all, lock them in the building of the former Civil Registry Office, and they put the handcuffs on the people, put them down to the floor and beat them, though everything was peaceful in Ekibastuz, and there were no riots, and these people are not guilty”,says Marat Zhylanbaev, a well-known marathon runner and activist[184].
On January 13, human rights activists and volunteers launched a platform to collect information about all victims of the January events of 2022: people who were detained, wounded and killed in the tragic events of January 2022 in Kazakhstan. It is required, to fill out a questionnaire at https://taplink.cc/qantar_2022. E-mail address is qantar2022@gmail.com. The website will be launched soon[185], said Toregozhina B, human rights activist.
On January 13, in Almaty, the Human Rights Commissioner Elvira Azimova and a group of members of the National Preventive Mechanism and the National Council of Public Trust visited the city’s detention facilities, LA-155/18 and the special reception center for persons under administrative arrest. Citizens detained after the mass riots are held in these facilities [186].
January 13, Taldykorgan, Yerik Kalibayev, Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; police officers have beaten Yerik with batons, on the head, on the chest (now his lungs are filled with fluid because of this), his kidneys are hurting. He became a little slow because of the hits on his head. He was a healthy person, an athlete, but now he got sluggish[187].
On January 14, in Almaty, an Independent Commission for the Investigation of the Events of January 2022 was established. The Commission consisted of Sarsenbay Ryspek, Tursumbayev Baltash and a group of journalists and lawyers. They were going to invite experts on investigative measures – retired police officers, retired judges – to help the Commission collect, analyze and summarize the evidence of these bloody events[188].
On January 14, in Almaty, the “Human Rights Alliance” was established. The main goal of the Alliance is to promote objective and impartial investigation of the chronology and events of the protests, analysis of the activities of law enforcement agencies and various groups of protesters, the causes of the protests’ transition from peaceful to violent phase, the observance of fundamental rights of citizens during the investigation so that the standards of a fair trial would be strictly followed[189].
On January 14, in Atyrau, Sergey Shutov, who took part in the protest at the beginning of the month and was later arrested. He recounted the torture he and other detainees went through in the courtyard of the city police department building at the Dynamo Sports Complex. Shutov compared the mistreatment of detainees to abuse in the infamous detention center on Okrestina Street in the capital of Belarus[190].
14 January, Appeal of the human rights community to the President of Kazakhstan: The upcoming national renewal is impossible without a commitment to universal human values and respect for human rights. Only legal, legitimate actions of the police, prosecutors and courts in investigating crimes that threatened the constitutional order will provide full confidence and consolidate society around new challenges in the development of our country[191].
On January 14, in Atyrau, Maks Bokayev held a one-man picket outside the Prosecutor’s Office against torture and beatings of citizens who were detained after the January rallies. He appealed to President Tokayev to stop the police officers. After the action, when he was already at home, he received threats: unidentified individuals came in, closed the peephole, kicked the door, and loudly demanded to see someone. Maks filed a police report regarding the threats[192].
On January 14, in Almaty, the examining court arrested Yesengazy Muratbek for two months under Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for “participation in mass disorder”. His lawyer reported that during his detention Muratbek has been beaten[193].
On 14 January, in Nur-Sultan, human rights activist Diana Okremova chronicled violations of journalists’ rights during and after the rallies. She also asked to be sent more information on the obstruction of the work of journalists[194].
On January 14, in Stepnogorsk, Akmola region, police searched the home of environmental activist Artyom Sochnev and seized his camera. Earlier, on January 4, he was detained in the central square of Stepnogorsk while he was giving a live talk in which he explained why he supported the Zhanaozen activists and reflected on the problems in the country. The police then confiscated his cell phone[195].
On January 14, in the Almaty region, Kyzylagash village, Sovetbekov Zhaksylyk was detained after the January events. The police attempted to accuse him of having transported people to the place of riots in Taldykorgan. After being tortured in the police department, Sovetbekov regained consciousness in the intensive care unit[196].
On January 15, the General Prosecutor’s Office released a statement that said: As of today, 4,578 victims have been identified, 4,353 of them were injured, including 3,393 members of the law enforcement agencies. The country’s morgues have received 225 of the dead. Some of them were armed bandits who attacked buildings and personnel. There were 19 police and military officers among the dead. Unfortunately, civilians also fell victim to acts of terrorism,” said General Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Serik Shalabayev[197].
On January 15, in Shymkent city there was a closed court session in relation to Kairat Sultanbek, Dosmambetova Lyazzat, Ashtaev Zhanmurat on Article 269 part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The court session was held without the presence of the detainees, observers were not allowed to attend it either. The judge disregarded the motion that Dosmambetova was the mother of three minor children and the request to release her under house arrest. The restraint measure was upheld – 2 months in the pre-trial detention center[198].
On January 16, in Shymkent city, citizens announced the establishment of an independent commission to address this month’s tragic events, which, according to official data, resulted in 225 deaths. They urged authorities to undertake political reforms in the country and not to prevent citizens from holding peaceful assemblies[199].
On January 16, in Almaty, Kanat Taimerdenov, the Head of the Police Department, mentioned at a briefing the number of dead: “There were 149 deaths among citizens and 11 deaths among police officers”. He also reported seven (7) attacks on the morgue, and 41 bodies were stolen as a result. According to his data, 1,347 weapons were stolen, including 501 rifled guns, 807 smoothbore guns and 39 gas-spray guns and traumatic weapons”[200].
On January 16, in compliance with the President’s instruction to the Prosecutor General’s Office to review and take measures to mitigate punishment for the citizens who participated in the peaceful rally, the Akmola Prosecutor’s Office released 17 people[201].
January 16, Almaty, “Currently, an interdepartmental investigative team consisting of experienced law enforcement officers has been created to investigate all crimes. Law enforcement agencies are investigating 405 criminal cases, 249 persons have been placed in detention with the authorization of a court. I would like to note that about 2,000 facilities in the city were damaged by criminals”, the city attorney Zhuiriktayev said at the briefing[202].
On January 16, in Almaty, a criminal case was opened against Narymbetov Erkanat under Article 287, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for possession of a firearm. During a search in the house, “they allegedly found a sawed-off shotgun and a Winchester”. Narymbetov Erkanat was taken to the NSC pre-trial detention center; according to his lawyer, he was covered with bruises and scratches[203].
17 January, Adilsoz Foundation has been monitoring violations of journalists’ rights from 3 to 12 January and media during the state of emergency. Apart from that, journalists and editorial offices encountered facts of theft, damage of editorial equipment and personal gadgets[204].
On January 17, Kazakhstanis faced the problem of searching for missing family members. A list of the dead – complete with their names and surnames – is not officially available. Residents of different cities continue to search for their relatives who have disappeared since the mass protests that have turned into a bloodbath. They encountered the authorities’ reluctance to provide lists of the dead and arrested, which they explained by the regime of the state of emergency [205].
January 17, Uralsk, the reasons that encouraged a local resident to take part in a peaceful protest. While working in the oil industry, Aslan Dzhamaliyev, 39, began to wonder, according to him, why in a country with vast natural resources most people earn money just enough to eat. He believes that the 2019-21 elections were “unfair”, activists and independent observers were “intimidated”, so the Nur-Otan party won the election. “I went to the rallies because I was fed up with this government, I saw this poverty. There are a lot of reasons – of all sorts: economic, political. I want this country to be democratic, that’s why I’m here. For Dzhamaliyev, the fight for a better future is not over yet. He believes that the people of Kazakhstan will attend the street protests again[206]
On January 17, in Almaty, Zhagiparov Nurlan, the brother of archaeologist Yerlan Zhagiparov, who died under unknown circumstances after being detained on January 6 in Almaty, said that Yerlan had been tortured before his death. His body was found in the morgue, and his hands were handcuffed. His hands were broken and his body was bruised. He had been shot in the heart and abdomen[207].
On 17 January, in Kokshetau, the judge of the specialist court of the city put a stay on the decision on which journalist Baimuldin Nurzhan was arrested for 10 days under Article 478 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Execution of the judgment has been delayed pending consideration of the prosecutor’s petition and the lawyer’s appeal in the appeal instance. A day earlier, the prosecutor of the city of Kokshetau had filed an appeal against this court judgment[208].
On January 17, at a briefing, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Elvira Azimova reported on the results of her visit to the pre-trial detention facility (SIZO) and the temporary detention facility (IVS) in Almaty. “We can see that innocent people are being released: 91 people were released, and more than 70 administrative penalties were commuted. The ombudsman informed that she received 21 allegations of ill-treatment and also warned that physical injuries must be recorded in the presence of medical personnel. “What we want is a clear separation between terrorists, between those who have committed theft and looting, and those who have taken part in peaceful rallies”, she said. Journalists were not given the opportunity to ask questions[209].
January 18, information from the General Prosecutor’s Office on administrative fines and detentions: “A total of 8,354 administrative cases were initiated, of which “warning”-337 people, “fine”-1653 people, “administrative arrest”-3,364 people”, said Sargazin Azamat, a representative of the prosecutor’s office, at a briefing. [210].
On January 18, Hugh Williamson, Director of Human Rights Watch Central Asia, provided his comments on the situation with the protests in Kazakhstan: We saw what has happened in the past in Zhanaozen in 2011. There were deaths, many people were tortured. Then there were show trials, unfair trials. We are worried that the same thing will happen now. We get even more worried when we hear the president using that kind of rhetoric, that kind of words against civil society and a free media. He creates such a climate in which torture and unfair trials are even more likely[211].
On the night of January 18 to 19, the state of emergency (state of emergency), which President Tokayev had declared all over the country on January 5, was lifted in Almaty and several other cities of Kazakhstan. Its lifting was carried out step by step – on January 12 the restrictions were lifted in the West Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions that border with Russia. Two days later, in East Kazakhstan, Karaganda and Turkestan regions, and in Shymkent, the country’s third-largest metropolis and a city of national significance[212].
On January 19, in Nur-Sultan, deputies of the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament approved amendments to legislation abolishing former President Nazarbayev’s lifetime chairmanship of two structures, the Security Council and the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. It is about amending the Laws on the First President – Leader of the Nation, on the Security Council and on the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan[213].
On January 19, the withdrawal of the joint contingent of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) from Kazakhstan was fully completed. This was announced at a briefing on Wednesday by Olzhas Khusainov, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan. The withdrawal of CSTO forces from Kazakhstan began on January 13. The Alliance decided to use troops to support one of its members for the first time since the CSTO’s foundation in 1999[214].
On January 19, in Nur-Sultan city, deputies of the Majilis of Kazakhstan’s parliament at a plenary session approved a set of amendments to the laws on elections and parties, which provide for a quota in the Majilis for people with disabilities. On January 19, in Nur-Sultan city, deputies of the Majilis of Kazakhstan’s parliament at a plenary session approved a set of amendments to the laws on elections and parties, which provide for a quota in the Majilis for people with disabilities[215].
On January 19, Almaty city, there was observed strengthening of police activity on the day of possible rallies, police vehicles and ambulances were parked near the Akimat building of Almaly district, where the city administration is temporarily placed. Abylai Khan Avenue was blocked starting from the intersection with Aiteke-bi Street to Gogol Street. The day before, in social networks, a rally was announced with demands to release people who had been detained during the protests, to release political prisoners, to stop torture and to publish the lists of those who had been killed and wounded[216].
On January 19, Nur-Sultan, a group of civil activists and representatives of the unregistered El Tiregi (Country Support) party held a press conference during which they called on the Kazakh authorities to conduct an open and fair investigation into the recent bloody events[217].
On January 20, in Nur-Sultan, journalist Makhambet Abzhan who had been covering protests earlier this month in the capital and then disappeared for two weeks was finally found. He told Azattyk that all this time he had been hiding in some other city, and added that he was all right and free. The police, he says, were investigating a criminal case in which he was a “witness with the right to defense,” i.e., he was merely one step away from being a suspect. He says that he signed a non-disclosure statement and cannot give details of the case[218].
On January 19, the Nur-Sultan Almaty District Court dismissed the case against Marat Zhylanbayev, a marathon runner, who had been put on trial on charges of “insulting the honor and dignity” of Nursultan Nazarbayev, former president of Kazakhstan, and the current President Kassym-Jomart-Tokayev. Last year, Ar-Bedel, a foundation that describes itself as an “independent human rights nonprofit organization”, filed a lawsuit with the court[219].
On January 20, in Almaty, the spouse of Darhan Valiev, detained under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, said that her husband was subjected to a 12-hour beating, there were bruises under his eyes and he signed some documents, but he was not aware what documents he had signed. The lawyer of the detainee confirmed that there were bruises and said: “There are grounds to file a complaint regarding torture”[220].
On January 20, in Almaty, burial sites of alleged rioters were found, the official Kazinform agency reported with reference to the telegram channel of the “anti-terrorist operation”. “The clandestine burials were made in order to make it difficult to identify the rioters,” said Saltanat Azirbek, a representative of the Almaty police department. The police did not specify the exact location of the burials[221].
On January 20, MEPs passed a resolution on the January events in Kazakhstan, condemning the the widespread acts of violence that erupted following peaceful protests in Kazakhstan; and urging the Kazakh authorities to refrain from bringing “terrorism” charges‘on the basis of overly broad interpretations of the term. During the discussion of the document, deputies focused on the order of the president of Kazakhstan “to shoot to kill without warning”, arbitrary detentions and torture in pre-trial detention, which detainees and their defenders have reported. A number of parliamentarians called to impose sanctions against Kazakhstani senior officials, while others asked their colleagues not to jump to conclusions and not to make hasty decisions[222].
January 21, Nur-Sultan, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan believes that the resolution on the situation in Kazakhstan adopted by the European Parliament on 20 January 2022 is not only biased but also based on prejudiced opinions and assumptions. The apparent lack of a credible analysis of the tragic January events in Kazakhstan is disconcerting. We find it unacceptable that a document of this nature has been adopted before the publication of the findings of the official investigation initiated by the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We reconfirm that the results of this investigation will be openly shared with the international community”- the statement said[223].
On January 21, the Turkestan Region police reported the detention of an official on suspicion of having contracted the killing of Amangeldy Batyrbekov, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Saryagash info. On the night of January 4, unknown gunmen shot and wounded his son Dinmukhamed near Batyrbekov’s house in the city of Saryagash, Turkestan Region. Batyrbekov connected the attack to his journalistic work[224].
On January 21, in Zhanaozen, residents of the city urged the Kazakh authorities to cease harassing peaceful participants in the protests that took place in the country’s regions in January and ended up in unrest and bloodshed in a number of cities. The recordings show people who give their names and demand that the Kazakh people who attended peaceful rallies earlier this month not be referred to as “terrorists”[225].
On January 21, in Shymkent, the Court of Appeal remanded in custody activist Kulbaev-Ergali, Article 269 Part 2; Article 293 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who after the January protests is charged with “hooliganism” and “assault or seizure of buildings, structures, means of communication and communication”. No media were present at the session[226].
January 21, Almaty, Darhan Valiyev, Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, an activist who has been detained in connection with the investigation of the “mass disorder” case, was beaten up for a second time while in pre-trial detention facility, his lawyer, Zhanara Balgabaeva, reported. She visited Valiev in the facility LA-155/18 on the evening of January 21[227].
January 21, Atyrau region, Makat district, employees of BatysServicePlus, a subdivision of the company providing firefighting services to Intergas Central Asia (a “subsidiary” of KazTransGas) went on strike with a demand for higher wages[228].
On January 22, lawyers, who had the opportunity to meet with their clients, reported that the detainees were kept in handcuffs and that during interrogations they were beaten by men in camouflage uniforms and masks, so that the detainees would not be able to identify them. What do you think of this, Ms. Elvira Azimova, the Ombudsman? When will they stop beating and humiliating those arrested?[229]
January 22, Petropavlovsk, Reibant Irina believes that there should be a new independent examination of the remains of her son, who has died after meeting with security officers. The skull and some parts of his body were not buried, but are still kept in the building of the rural Akimat. Now new facts have been discovered in the earlier dismissed case, and she insists on a new investigation, referral of the case to the court, and prosecution of the perpetrators[230].
On January 22, in Nur-Sultan, the General Prosecutor’s Office reported the detention of 970 suspects in criminal cases. 819 criminal cases are under investigation. “The largest number of people arrested, 464, is in cases of terrorism and mass disorder. 226 people were detained for theft, 60 for unlawful possession of a firearm, 39 for weapon theft, 25 for hooliganism, and 21 for robbery. Moreover, one criminal case may involve detention of several accomplices”\”, said Yeldo sKilimzhanov, a representative of the Prosecutor’s Office at a recent briefing, and added that the figures were not final[231].
On January 22, in Zhanaozen, a group of Zhanaozen citizens came to the city administration, demanding that the persecution of activists and participants of peaceful protests be stopped. Those who came out to the Akimat held posters that read: “The people are not extremists”, “We demand to stop the repressions!”, “No to lawlessness!”. The police did not interfere, just filming the action from the car[232].
On January 22, in Shymkent, Ashtayev-Zhanmurat, Article 269 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, who has been detained for two months, declared a hunger strike in the detention facility. According to the lawyer of the activist and his wife, he decided to go on hunger strike after the forensic medical examination had not been carried out. The administration of the detention center, where the detained activist was held, denied this information[233].
January 22, Nur-Sultan, Bolat Zhamishev, Head of the Fund “Kazakhstan Halkyna” (To the People of Kazakhstan), said that the Fund hopes to bring in up to 150 billion tenge (343 million dollars). At the moment there are fewer than 20 billion tenge available in the Fund. The donated money will be used for health care, including expensive treatment of patients with rare diseases, as well as for the development of culture and children’s sports. The fund will support the families of soldiers and law enforcement officers killed during the January events. However, the speaker did not mention support for the families of the civilian victims[234].
On January 22, in Taldykorgan, BatyrbaevAzamat, was detained for his participation in the toppling of Nazarbayev’s statue and for attacking the police officers during the protests. On January 23, during an interrogation at the Anti-Corruption Service, he testified that on January 10 police officers caused him bodily harm; specifically they burnt his body with an iron. Based on Batyrbaev’s complaint, the Anti-Corruption Service of the Almaty region opened a criminal case on torture. At present, a case is under investigation [235].
23 January, Shymkent, Statement by Kakharov Erkin, lawyer of activists Dosmambetova Lyazzat and Sultanbek Kairat, who have been imprisoned for two months under Article 269 Part 2 Para.1 and 6 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. I urge the President of Kazakhstan to make a new start and release all political prisoners, thereby implementing the recommendations and the UN resolution on human rights[236].
January 24, more and more appeals from citizens whose relatives were killed in the January riots are appearing on social networks. According to people, law enforcement authorities have begun exhuming bodies for verification. The Almaty Police Department could not answer these questions, informing that the investigation of the January events is being conducted by the General Prosecutor’s Office. The General Prosecutor’s Office, in turn, denied giving an oral comment[237].
January 24, Nur-Sultan, seven cases of torture by police officers are being investigated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Seven pre-trial investigations under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the RK (torture) were initiated with regard to 27 reports, and official investigations are being conducted with regard to 20 cases of torture. “The Ministry of Internal Affairs responds strongly to the facts of the use of physical force against our citizens. Each fact is being carefully investigated with the analysis of video cameras in police buildings and public places,” said the official spokesperson Nurdilda Oraz at a briefing[238].
On January 24, in Almaty, a group of public figures, including businessmen, lawyers, scientists, and teachers, declared the establishment of a public association “Movement in Support of the Republic”. The movement plans to initiate a referendum on amending the Constitution or the adoption of a new Constitution “based on the rule of law, rather than on the law by rules”[239].
On January 24, allegations that police were taking wounded during the unrest in Almaty directly from hospitals have been newly confirmed. A woman sent a video to the Azattyk’s editorial office in which police were forcibly taking out the wounded from the hospital. The video footage shows law enforcement officers taking about a dozen people away, some of whom are walking on crutches, others are barefoot, and some without any clothes on[240].
January 24, we demand the immediate release of 31 people, our countrymen have been engaged for many years in protecting our rights and freedoms, and they are prominent activists who have many times taken part in peaceful rallies.They are known to the general public of our country, and each of us could state that none of the following people are terrorists! We ask all their cases to be considered by the commission that you, Mr. Karin Yerlan, has initiated[241].
On January 24, in the Turkestan region, there was the reading of the judgment in the case of Sumbetova Alimast, Article 405 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The judge sentenced her to 6 months of restriction of liberty, a prohibition on social and political activities and the use of social networks for 3 years, and imposed an involuntary payment of 2,780 tenge ($65) to the “Victims’ Compensation Fund” and 100 hours of community service.. The grounds for the sentence were her participation in the Zoom conference with Ablyazov [242].
On January 25, the Corruption Perceptions Index, compiled by Transparency International was published; Kazakhstan scored 37 out of a possible 100 points (on a 100-point scale, with zero meaning that the perceived level of corruption in the public sector is very high, and 100 meaning that it is extremely low). At the end of 2021, Kazakhstan scored one point lower than in 2020. The country was ranked 102nd on the Corruption Perceptions Index, along with Sri Lanka and the Gambia, dropping eight places in one year, and is still among the states that are the most susceptible to corruption[243].
January 25, the Alliance of Human Rights Organizations demanded to publish: Reports on NPM teams’ visits to custodial institutions and cases recorded, and the number of victims of torture and ill-treatment; Information on the number of cases under Article 146 “Torture” of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The answer to the question why in violation of paragraph 4 of Article 187 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan it was the Ministry of Interior that was in charge of the pretrial investigation [244].
On January 25, in Semey, 150 people at once left the branch of the Nur-Otan party. Aydos Kisamenov, a former deputy of the Maslikhat, who posted information about it in social networks, said that the reason was “a lack of confidence in the leadership”. On January 24, he and Dulat Kazhmukhanbet said they were leaving the party for the same reason”[245].
On January 25, in Almaty, customs officers had been denied permits to Zhanbolat Mamay to cross the border with Kyrgyzstan. He was trying to leave for medical treatment far away from the security services. Inga Imanbay, his wife, said that customs officers first explained that the ban was due to a debt, and then they reported that the Almaty police had imposed a travel ban on Zhanbolat Mamay[246].
On January 25, in Karaganda, the Specialist Interdistrict Court remanded AitkozhaFazil’s claim to the Akimat of the Karaganda region and the regional Maslikhat for declaring illegal the renaming of Mir Boulevard and Narmanbet Tulepov Street by combining them into Nazarbayev Avenue. The court reasoned that the decision of the Akimat and maslikhat on the renaming “is not an administrative act subject to appeal in administrative proceedings,” but is “a normative legal act[247].
January 25, Nur-Sultan, “The General Prosecutor’s Office has launched 11 pre-trial investigations into cases of exceeding authority, and another 10 criminal cases have been registered by the prosecuting authorities, with a total of 109 complaints of torture,” said spokesperson Yeldos Kilymzhanov at a briefing[248].
January 25, Almaty, 11 people who were detained in connection with the January events were replaced with a non-custodial measure of restraint due to their health conditions, stated a public commission headed by lawyer Abzal Kuspan[249].
January 26, Róża Thun: Yesterday, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs addressed the issue of the situation faced by human rights defenders in Kazakhstan. We need to organize as soon as possible a fund to protect NGOs fighting for democracy and the lives of protesters. We demand to be given the names of people who are in hospitals, killed, detained so that we have the full information about the extent of human rights violations by the current regime. We need a stronger relationship between the European External Action Service and civil society in Kazakhstan[250].
January 26, the list of casualties and those arrested. As of today, the names of 108 dead (officially 227) and a total of 49 people out of 782 arrested have been found. The reported figure of 10,000 detainees corresponds to the truth, since about 8,500 people were brought to administrative responsibility. The list is periodically updated[251].
January 26, interview with human rights activist Toregozhina Bakhytzhan about the reasons for the protest at the beginning of January and its consequences for Kazakhstan[252].
January 26, appeal of human rights activist Toregozhina-Bakhytzhan to the authorities: The officers of the National Security Committee and the police of 5 cities: Semei, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktobe and Kyzylorda behave like bandits and brutalize the detainees without any limits. The police and security services should observe human rights, and not act like torture chambers! They should not instill fear and terror in the country! I! I ask the commissions established by Karin Yerlan and Ombudsman Azimova Elvira to visit the detention facilities of the NSC, where they are holding 45 people arrested under Article 255 “act of terrorism”. There is no information about what is happening to these citizens, whether they are alive at all, whether they have been beaten and tortured, whether they are injured and whether they need medical help[253].
On January 26, in Petropavlovsk, the court denied parole to activist Askar Kaiyrbek, Article 405 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who was convicted last year to two years and two months in prison. There is no evidence indicating that the convicted person has been reformed, the verdict states[254].
On January 26, Human Rights Watch International analyzed more than 80 videos taken in Almaty on January 4-6, and it reached the conclusion that in at least four cases the security officers have used excessive force with lethal weapons. HRW also stated that the UN, OSCE, and the European Union should urge an “effective, independent, and impartial” investigation into the actions of the security forces in Kazakhstan; should the government fail to conduct an effective investigation that meets international standards, then the “Moscow mechanism should be evoked. Priority should be given to protecting lives, not property”[255].
On January 26, in Aktobe, Yessmurzaeva Zhanna, Article 272 Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, contracted coronavirus infection in the detention facility. Although she was sick and had two minor children, the court refused to allow the 56-year-old activist to be placed under house arrest[256].
January 26, results of January events according to Radio Azattyk: 227 people were killed, 4,578 people were injured, 2,044 criminal cases were opened, 898 suspects were detained, 9,257 administrative cases were filed, 63 people were detained, there were 109 allegations of pressure and torture, 1,466 buildings were damaged, 700 cars were damaged [257].
On January 26, Almaty, the Department of Internal Affairs commented on the reasons why the wounded were taken from the hospital: “The 16 men shown in the picture are suspects in the criminal case registered in the National Register of Pre-Trial Investigations (NRPI) on the grounds of a crime under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The court authorized detntion in custody as a preventive measure against these suspects” [258].
On January 27, in Almaty, Seyit Sauatai was released from LA-155/18, the Amanat public commission reported[259].
On January 27, in Almaty, Esengazy Muratbek, who was arrested for two months under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan by an investigative court for “participation in mass riots” has been released[260].
January 27, Semey, Sadyrbayeva Raigul, Article 272, Article 269 Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the RK, is a disabled person of Group 2 and suffers from a severe form of “lupus erythematosus”. Her rights were violated by not giving her the medication which was handed over to her. In the reply received by human rights activists from the Prosecutor’s Office of the East Kazakhstan region, there is not a word on whether the medication had been given to her[261].
On January 27, Kokshetau, starting from about 7 p.m., network users could not get access to the website of the News Agency Kokshetau Asia. The site administrators approached the Russian hosting company, where the portal of the editorial office is hosted. The Russians said that there was a problem with the gateway at the virtual border between Kazakhstan and Russia; for some reason the connection is interrupted at this location. The problems with the website weirdly coincided with the attempts of Baymuldin Nurzhan, editor-in-chief of the Russian service of Kokshetau-Asia, to appeal his arrest[262].
January 27, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan’s upper house of parliament (senate) conceptually approved amendments to certain constitutional laws that deprive former Kazakh President Nazarbayev of the life-long right to chair the Security Council and the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. The deputies also made an amendment to the bill stipulating that initiatives in the main areas of foreign and domestic policy should not be coordinated with Nazarbayev[263].
January 27, Nur-Sultan, lawyer Azanov Bauyrzhan reported about the case against journalist Makhambet Abzhan. He is being prosecuted after his interview with “Dozhd”, in which he pointed out the reasons for the protest erupted at the beginning of January. The lawyer informed that the case was initiated under paragraph 3 (on dissemination of knowingly false information through mass media) of Part 2 of Article 274 of the Criminal Code. The journalist is a witness with the right to defense[264].
On January 27, the Shymkent City Court upheld the decision of the investigative court to exhume the body of 22-year-old Askar Islamov, deceased after he received bullet wounds on January 5 in Almaty. His family members, who objected to the exhumation of his body for forensic examination, filed a complaint with the court. The court session was held behind closed doors. Neither representatives of mass media, nor the relatives of the deceased were allowed to the session[265].
On January 27, independent observers and non-governmental organizations issued a joint statement in which they urged the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to fundamentally reform the electoral legislation and facilitate the registration of the parties. Fair and free elections are the only effective mechanism that builds the legitimacy of public authority[266].
On January 27, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Elvira Azimova, addressed the media in connection with the events related to the unrest in January 2022 [267].
January 27, the Committee officers who left the building of the Department of the National Security Committee (DNSC) of Almaty city during the January events should be brought to justice. Because they left the building and practically gave up their weapons, said lawyer Aiman Umarov[268].
On January 28, in Taraz, Ainiyazov Kuanysh stated about the torture he was subjected to since January 13 being in a remand prison. His ribs were hurt and his arm was broken. The charges of setting fire to the building of Nur Otan party were brought against him; he did not agree with the charges and filed a complaint with the court[269].
Nur-Sultan, Jan. 28, President Tokayev assumed the position of Nur Otan chairman at the Nur Otan party congress, replacing Nazarbayev in that position. Dariga, the eldest daughter of former President Nazarbayev, lost her seat on the Nur Otan political council[270].
January 28, Azattyk Radio’s list of fatalities during the January events. This list includes servicemen, policemen and civilians. If you have lost family members or friends whose names are not on the list, please contact Azattyk by e-mail at azattyq@rferl.org or WhatsApp + +7 777 328 38 88[271].
January 28, Kazakhstan continues to systematically violate the rights of citizens to freedom of assembly and association, despite repeated recommendations and criticism of Kazakhstan’s labor legislation by the International Labor Organization[272].
January 28, Katchiyev Nikolay, Nazarenko Alexander, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the Stepnogorsk City Court of Akmola region, the hearing of the case of environmental activists from the village of Bestobe, charged with inciting social hatred, began. Although the case is being heard in open court, the judge has forbidden journalists to disclose the case file without the permission of the presiding judge, to avoid influencing the outcome of the case before the verdict is pronounced[273].
On January 28, in Uralsk, Utebayev Bekbolat came out to the building of the party Nur-Otan with a poster “1 well-fed Nur-Otan’ member is more than 30 people who have not lived up to their retirement age”. Just after he has deployed the poster and made a demand to lower the retirement age, he was detained by the police. After more than five hours he was forcibly taken home. Police also detained activist Yeskendirova Marua, who was filming the picket[274].
On January 28, in Shymkent city, about two dozen people gathered near the detention facility ICH-167/11 in the Saule microdistrict. They demanded to dismiss charges against their relatives who had been detained in connection with the January events. The protesters held posters “Our children are not terrorists!”, “We demand justice!”, “The people are not terrorists!”[275].
On January 28, in Nur-Sultan city, Zakirova Sanovar who the day before had announced that she would be holding a solitary picket at 11 a.m. at the office of the Nur-Otan party and demanding that the party of power be dissolved, was detained by the riot police near her house in the morning. She was taken to the police station, where she was held for more than five hours[276].
On January 28, in Nur-Sultan, journalist Makhambet Abzhan said that he was a witness with the right to defense in another criminal case under Article 147 of the Criminal Code of RK “Violation of integrity of private life and the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal data and their protection”. This is related to a post in the ABZHANNEWS telegram channel. The post cited provides information about the person who reportedly threatened the journalist [277].
On January 29, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commented on his January 7 order to “shoot to kill without warning” in the midst of the unrest. He said in an interview to Khabar TV channel that at that time there have not been peaceful protesters on the squares, there have been “bandits”. He once again called the unrest that began after the massive protests in Almaty a “terrorist action”, carried out by fighters who arrived in the city “under the guise of migrant workers”[278].
On January 29, bloody qantar_2022 (January_ 2022) touched the families and took the lives of Aslan and Askhat. The Valievs’ family was touched by bloody qantar_2022 twice, his brother Valikhan was arrested near the morgue when he was looking for Aslan.Left behind are children who will never understand the threat their fathers carried, why were they brutally murdered with live ammunition[279].
On January 30, volunteers qantar_2022 found 143 of the 227 dead (officially announced): in Almaty – 93 people, in Kyzylorda – 9 people, in Taraz (Zhambyl Region) – 16 people, in Taldykorgan (Almaty Region) – 10 people, in Oskemen – 3 people, in Semey – 2 people, in Shymkent – 8 people, in Atyrau – 1 person, in Aktobe – 1 person[280].
January 31, Almaty, it was reported that Sagintayev Bakytzhan was dismissed from the post of akim of Almaty, and Dosayev Yerbolat was appointed as the new Akim of the city. [281].
On January 31, in Aktau, mothers of many children picketed in front of the regional Akimat and made their demands: The oil-producing country must provide housing for families with many children, families with disabled persons, and for orphans; for this reason, they must permit them to privatize social housing. To replace the akim of the region, to dismiss the deputies of the region who are indifferent to the problems of large families, the disabled and orphans. In case the demands are not met the strike will be held[282].
On January 31, in Almaty, Kazakhtelecom workers went on strike and demanded to fulfill promises to increase salaries made by the management earlier[283].
On January 31, in Almaty, about 30 people gathered at the building of the city prosecutor’s office and demanded to meet with representatives of the authorities. Among the demands: to release the detainees and provide them with medical assistance. The protesters claimed that their relatives were not guilty[284].
January 31, Almaty, nine other people from facility LA-155/18 detained under Article 272 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK on suspicion of taking part in the January protests were released. Investigations into their cases have been continuing, as reported by the Amanat public commission. Two of the seven are still in hospital[285].
[1]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31635412.html
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[3]https://www.lada.kz/aktau_news/society/97863-dorogu-perekryli-v-centre-v-aktau.html
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[8]https://orda.kz/zhiteli-stolicy-mitingovali-v-podderzhku-zhanaozencev-vosem-chelovek-zaderzhali/#part=1
[9]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31637384.html
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[18]https://orda.kz/protestujushhie-v-aktau-zajavili-o-gotovnosti-k-peregovoram-s-tugzhanovym-no-predupredili-chto-ostanutsja-na-ploshhadi-do-snizhenija-cen/
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[20]https://orda.kz/v-aktau-policija-pristupila-k-silovym-meram-v-otnoshenii-mitingujushhih/
[21]https://orda.kz/na-mitingah-v-gorodah-kazahstana-zaderzhali-69-chelovek/
[22]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5088978871114657
[23]https://vlast.kz/novosti/48024-sotni-celovek-vysli-v-almaty-v-podderzku-protestuusih-v-mangistau.html
[24]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31639265.html
[25]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31638677.html
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[28]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31639150.html
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[36]https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5155960
[37]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3165906143728647/
[38]https://www.facebook.com/kaztag/posts/6802240083181940
[39]https://www.facebook.com/gulnara.bazhkenova/posts/4819042524857672
[40]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5105391376140073
[41]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31639254.htm
[42]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3171559089830019/
[43]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31640270.html
[44]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5029766730369205
[45]https://www.akorda.kz/ru/o-vvedenii-chrezvychaynogo-polozheniya-v-gorode-almaty-5098
[46]https://www.akorda.kz/ru/o-vvedenii-chrezvychaynogo-polozheniya-v-gorode-nur-sultan-505617
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[48]https://www.rbc.ru/politics/05/01/2022/61d5cc2e9a794745c86ebbd2
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[52]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31640301.html
[53]https://www.facebook.com/ordakazakhstan/posts/143217994733231
[54]https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4558275734269255
[55]ttps://rus.azattyq.org/a/31640135.html
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[65]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKi6M_p2jOg
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[83]https://www.rbc.ru/politics/05/01/2022/61d596709a7947392ca4369e
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[104]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvIBR8BP0zY
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[116]https://www.lada.kz/another_news/99118-bili-zheleznymi-cepyami-avtomatom.-vikram-ruzahunov-rasskazal-podrobnosti-pytok-v-almaty.html
[117]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGw_Wi8p8sw
[118]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-almaty-akzhol-zhandarbekov-torture/31708459.html
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[121]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3190003927985535/
[122]https://www.facebook.com/watch/?comment_id=7022815841124362&v=492770138932866¬if_id=1644132991889590¬if_t=comment_mention&ref=notif
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[124]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31645262.html
[125]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3174586876193907/
[126]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3172735976378997/
[127]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3194243204228274/
[128]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3193441190975142/
[129]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31645945.html
[130]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31649090.htm
[131]https://orda.kz/advokat-rasskazal-pro-pytki-nad-zaderzhannym-s-ognestrelnym-raneniem/
[132]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3Hb8m7PdJk
[133]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646230.html
[134]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646192.html
[135]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646913.html
[136]https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/vorvalis-dom-izbili-almatinka-rasskazala-zaderjanii-supruga-459127/
[137]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3188423988143529/
[138]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/nevyshedsheeizzablokirovki-minyust-kyrgyzstana-napravil-zapros-v-genprokuraturu-kr-o-vozbuzhdenii-ug?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&fbclid=IwAR38lpdhBaWL3Yk18B_Ei6AySOc12XrpyAjpuH3_DqgrGMdpKw6Btt0qpxs
[139]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5083760444969833
[140]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646832.html
[141]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646840.html
[142]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646821.html
[143]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31646783.html
[144]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31647551.html
[145]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31647490.html
[146]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31647712.html
[147]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3190598351259426/
[148]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31649493.html?fbclid=IwAR28syFrFKpeiSfffxc6aM150ygiDeAyuu1ConXqFBziSM-SGF4-Hh30CaE
[149]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5058019667543911
[150]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31647313.html
[151]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31648477.html
[152]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3192487617737166/
[153]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3192917204360874/
[154]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/tak-zverski-ubit-cheloveka-chto-izvestno-o-gibeli-zaderzhannyh-v-yanvare-v-semee/31695272.html?fbclid=IwAR1gZd7vIVsyqTDssJYkv5ruhdWRZlrEj1zbfAYnw_JAe2lcgsylz0zu9m4
[155]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31649325.html?fbclid=IwAR2ya_z8eiRCX6Rfg6TiK87bUcFmi-RisrwtdHx1mtq0lWvEW2vegDBUCr8
[156]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31649514.html?fbclid=IwAR1O0p1BGY9VbsYgxUW0yAspnSF3-n_HDTrna5h0cY4a0LQUV8d6R-ulQLo
[157]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3190972944555300/
[158]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31648427.html
[159]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31648492.html
[160]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31648532.html
[161]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31648607.html
[162]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31648440.html
[163]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3188312684821326/
[164]https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1369008626887532&id=100013352235450#
[165]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5046898851989326
[166]https://www.facebook.com/aina.shormanbayeva/posts/5029742843736567
[167]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31650508.html
[168]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31650744.html
[169]https://www.facebook.com/groups/2311275672530253/posts/3160469220944223/
[170]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3191874181131843/
[171]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/troe-pogibli-v-khode-massovykh-besporyadkov-v-ust-kamenogorske?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&fbclid=IwAR3OjQKGP_S7lQCtqaFQBG6ivueXsZlchhtuiDPnUTveic5cPAQYK6fd0Ro
[172]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/zhurnalistov-po-ocheredi-nachali-vyzyvat-na-doprosy-v-aktyubinskoy-oblasti?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&fbclid=IwAR2bBnYqRoYWs6yZrksRb3HZgkRqBjMlbj-xNVGMMhmbC_nvWcs6OrFVGho
[173]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3174561336196461/
[174]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3171798989806029/
[175]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31650504.html
[176]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/oon-prizyvaet-vlasti-kazakhstana-otpustit-zaderzhannykh-za-uchastie-v-mirnykh-protestakh?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&fbclid=IwAR3WTwE1arn3cvMTDp7HEtF7IV4XOIHwlIoCQiAfIoWdaCfcpQ-pQkWfKI0
[177]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31651889.html
[178]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31651989.html
[179]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31698425.html
[180]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31652734.html
[181]https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/prokuror/press/news/details/312074?lang=ru&fbclid=IwAR2YujxgvUmykgVdV6DGOF-Se_mQXMXzoA63Iy35vAh0x1X1vdUJJLIbG1Q
[182]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/obrashchenie-k-pravitelstvu-kazakhstana
[183]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31652614.htm
[184]https://www.facebook.com/marat.zhilanbaev/posts/7015305935207509
[185]https://www.facebook.com/qantar_2022-108224121752284/?__cft__[0]=AZUycsqJIsUY6i-hMREJB7hHt9hyaVBxVXiD2VNhJqNYJZ5Q-2jaoM2lu1BPx7DOPrnhBEMKOzxLHv2ONQw8_zYuGmlYHeX3-gMllInX5Nmojf6fvDbjvtdnIerhGTSLAak&__tn__=kK-R
[186]https://www.facebook.com/OmbudspersonKazakhstan/posts/423053829503861
[187]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3194974594155135/
[188]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31654312.html
[189]https://bureau.kz/novosti/zayavlenie-o-sozdanii-pravozashhitnogo-alyansa/
[190]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-atyrau-sergey-shutov-about-torture/31654602.html
[191]https://bureau.kz/novosti/zayavleniya_i_obrasheniya/otkrytoe-obrashhenie-k-tokaevu/
[192]https://azh.kz/ru/news/view/82017?fbclid=IwAR3a1XjnFfiRyIqiCxtxiZDbiHvGEnan5_iIfZoCVT4jaQ0qovM5lhzz4Is
[193]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31654898.html
[194]https://www.facebook.com/dianaokremova/posts/10227787243329148
[195]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31655919.html
[196]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2g-lIosdws&t=248s
[197]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31655820.html
[198]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3174610319524896/
[199]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31656601.html
[200]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31656751.html
[201]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5066601490019062
[202]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/405-ugolovnykh-del-rassleduetsya-po-delu-ob-atakakh-v-almaty-249-lits-arestovano-prokuratura
[203]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3190108691308392/
[204]http://www.adilsoz.kz/news/show/id/3489
[205]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-missing-after-january-unrest/31656529.html
[206]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-protests-poverty-politics/31656641.html
[207]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31659499.html
[208]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31659206.html
[209]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31658544.html
[210]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5095348030477741
[211]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31659076.html
[212]https://www.dw.com/ru/v-kazahstane-dozhdalis-polnoj-otmeny-rezhima-chp/a-60466563
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[228]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31665316.html
[229]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5093766393969238
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[236]https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=980510632546925&id=100017639912163
[237]https://exk.kz/news/120640/kazakhstantsy-zhaluiutsia-na-eksghumatsiiu-tiel-poghibshikh-v-biesporiadkakh-vidieo
[238]https://orda.kz/krovavyj-janvar-mvd-rassleduet-sem-del-o-pytkah/
[239]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31669104.html
[240]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqMas7JWVcc
[241]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5105001762845701
[242]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3191823911136870/
[243]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-corruption-levels-entrenched-authoritarianism-transparency/31669978.html
[244]https://bureau.kz/goryachee/otchety-npm-dolzhny-stat-publichnymi/
[245]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31670442.html
[246]https://orda.kz/lidera-nezaregistrirovannoj-dempartii-ne-vypustili-iz-strany/
[247]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31669246.html
[248]https://vlast.kz/novosti/48371-21-delo-po-faktam-pytok-zaderzannyh-v-hode-anvarskih-sobytij-rassleduut-v-kazahstane-genprokuratura.html?fbclid=IwAR3hyjcbscEEPMkVSOfAhtGK274ATV2cv8wzeleS4oEIlNRCUBzssc_rZIo
[249]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31671671.html
[250]https://www.facebook.com/rozathun/posts/484630686361112
[251]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5110182055661005
[252]https://www.facebook.com/dinara.yegeubayeva/posts/4835425559884624
[253]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5111486602197217
[254]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31672185.html
[255]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/human-rights-watch-on-kazakhstan/31672351.html
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[257]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31671739.html
[258]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31672336.html
[259]https://www.facebook.com/erlan.toleubai/posts/1853802544814699
[260]https://www.facebook.com/alban.galeke/posts/4541902625932692
[261]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5114758338536710
[262]http://www.adilsoz.kz/news/show/id/3512
[263]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31673571.html
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[265]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31674273.html
[266]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31673779.html
[267]https://www.facebook.com/OmbudspersonKazakhstan/posts/431113258697918
[268]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/pokinuvshikh-dknb-vo-vremya-yanvarskikh-sobytiy-nuzhno-privlech-k-otvetstvennosti-umarova?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&fbclid=IwAR0q39qGi30H5y0uE9_J_ikLjYSLeSkVjOkKlWdg6jiBbGe9YGZyF1Ll2VU
[269]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABal9OIpqK8
[270]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-tokayev-consolidates-power-as-ruling-party-leader/31675940.html
[271]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakh-winter-list-of-victims/31674110.html
[272]https://bureau.kz/novosti/druzya-moi-bespraven-nash-soyuz/
[273]https://orda.kz/chernovi/
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[275]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31676125.html
[276]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31676000.html
[277]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31675423.html
[278]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31677445.html
[279]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina
[280]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/5129985047014039
[281]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31678301.html
[282]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQFb_KI62y0
[283]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYIQ2Q6Ouv8
[284]https://orda.kz/rodstvenniki-zaderzhannyh-shturmujut-prokuraturu-almaty/
