MONITORING OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN FROM OCTOBER 1 TO OCTOBER 31, 2022

October 3, Kyzylorda, Baimagambetov Muratbay Alievich, Article 272, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, disabled person of group 3 stated that since 2018 he has been persecuted, subjected to administrative arrest 5-6 times, and also has been threatened that if he refused to sign a plea agreement he would be imprisoned for 12 years[1].

October 3, Taraz, a trial began in the juvenile court in the case of 17-year-old Andrey Opushiyev, who had been murdered during the January protests. He is accused under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Mass Riots”. The hearing took place behind closed doors as the case of a minor was being considered[2].

October 4, Warsaw, Kyrgyz musician Ruzakhunov Vikram appealed to OSCE representatives to investigate the January 2022 events in Kazakhstan[3].

October 4, Akmola region, the Akkol district court is hearing a civil case on a lawsuit filed by Akim Anatoly Krivitsky against Khusainova Daria on protection of honor, dignity and compensation for moral injury. The reason for the lawsuit is the alleged insult in the social media of the Internet[4].

4 October, Almaty, Karakalpak activist Mirmanbetova Ziyuar was taken from her home by three police officers. The detentions are related to an OSCE human rights conference currently taking place in Warsaw, which the detained activists were planning to attend. They even received invitations, the Karakalpak diaspora in Kazakhstan said[5].

October 4, Almaty, relatives of the detainee Musin Adilet, who was placed in the pre-trial detention facility, claim that he was subjected to torture in custody. On the complaint of the suspect in connection with the January events, an examination was carried out[6].

October 4, Pavlodar, Kuzairov Dias, Article 434 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was sentenced to 5 days arrest for “bothering with the guests of the restaurant who were invited to dinner on the occasion of their arrival from Russia, while asking them provocative political questions and making negative comments about them”, at about 13 o’clock on September 27[7].

October 4, Almaty, “Orda.kz” editorial office received threats that were written on the playground under the windows of the office[8].

October 5, Warsaw, Kazakh activists held a rally against Mr. Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, in front of the building where the OSCE human rights summit is taking place[9].

October 5, Almaty, facility LA-155/18, Mamay Zhanbolat, Articles 378,274, Part 4, Article 272, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, the examining court extended the period of his detention until November 12.All the motions of the lawyers were dismissed by the judge[10].

October 5, Almaty region, Zarechnyi village, facility LA-155/14, Narymbaev Yermek, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has announced a protest action and is on hunger strike for the 4th day. He reports that he is placed in a disciplinary isolation ward and claims that he is under pressure from the administration[11].

October 5, Almaty, “Orda.kz” received a package, inside the box there was a pig’s head, in its mouth there was a torn photo of Bazhkenova Gulnara, editor-in-chief of the site[12].

October 5, Astana, “untimely investigative measures result in loss of evidence and dismissal of cases for lack of evidence. False corporate solidarity prevents the investigation of the truth. Colleagues cover up their officers, they withhold evidence”, the Prosecutor General’s Office reports in relation to the investigation of torture by police officers who were arrested in January 2022[13].

October 6, Almaty, police detained activists of unregistered Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (DPC) who came to the building of the “Amanat” party. Among the detained activists there were Duysebayeva A. and Mirmanbetova G. The activists chanted: “Dissolution of “Amanat” that used to serve Nazarbayev’s system!”, “Nazarbayev – to prison!”, “Freedom to Zhanbolat”! Duysebayeva reports that an activist named Sharbat was “beaten” in a police van[14].

October 6, Zhanaozen, Zhumagaliyev Muratbay, unknown persons beat an activist of the unregistered DPK when he and his son were walking home; unknown masked persons came up to them attacked and beat him[15].

October 6, Almaty, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” conducted a study of the situation in Kazakhstan with regard to the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from September 30 to October 06, 2022[16].

October 6, Karaganda, the court began to consider the appeal in the case of the murder of Baktybayev Galy, an activist from Atasu village. He was killed by gunshot on May 28, 2019. The prosecutor asks to revoke the sentence and refer the criminal case for reconsideration[17].

October 7, Zhanaozen, Zhumagaliyev bMuratbay, the local police opened a case under Article 293 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK “Hooliganism” after the activist was beaten. The activist reported that the police officers have visited him in the hospital today[18].

October 7, Kostanay, Nurmagambetov Dias, Article 274, Part 4, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan – 1 year of restriction of liberty. The court decided to approve the parole application[19].

October 7, Almaty, Ziyuar Mirmanbetova, the examining court ordered her arrest for 40 days. She was put on the wanted list in Uzbekistan and was suspected of “threatening the constitutional order of Uzbekistan” and “participating in protests” in July in Karakalpakstan[20].

7 October, Uralsk, Eskendirova Marua and Orazbayev Amangeldy, Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The court began to consider the criminal case against the defendants accused of “participation” in the activities of a prohibited organization: participation in rallies, spreading leaflets[21].

7 October, Almaty, “We are currently making lists of people who suffered in Kantar2022 and need treatment and medical examination. We are making lists within 10 days”, – reports human rights activist Toregozhina Bakhytzhan[22].

October 7, Almaty, a number of people rallied in front of the City Prosecutor’s Office, demanding amnesty for their relatives, in particular for Makhanbaev Kosai and Imanbekov Alibek, who had been placed into custody in connection with the January events[23].

October 7, Washington, D.C. Senators Bob Menendez, Ben Cardin, Dick Durbin and Sherrod Brown urged the Biden administration to support international efforts in the investigation of the brutal actions of Kazakhstan’s intelligence agencies against peaceful demonstrators, passers-by and detainees involved in the January 2022 mass demonstrations that resulted in the deaths of over 200 people[24].

October 10, Astana, Mukhazhanov Daulet, a wheelchair-bound man after being wounded during the January events, arrived in the capital and submitted a statement to the General Prosecutor’s Office in which he made two demands. “The first demand: the authorities should find the people who shot me during the January events, and later beat and tortured me. The second demand: that the authorities provide me with funds for treatment abroad”, Mukhazhanov says[25].

October 10, Petropavlovsk, the hearing of the criminal case on obstruction of legitimate professional activities of the journalists of “Khabar 24” TV channel started in the city court. The charges under Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the RK were filed against Sagandykov Sultan, the Chief of the security service of the shopping and entertainment center [26].

October 11, 2022, Kokshetau, Baltashev Bauyrzhan was detained by police officers when he was traveling to Astana in order to support the organizing committee of the Alga Kazakhstan party on October 12. The police officers referred to an anonymous call alleging that Baltashev was illegally storing firearms[27].

On 11 October, in Kokshetau, police officers served summons to Zhanuzakov Marat, Kudaibergenova Almagul and Mukhamedzhanov Kuat with the demand to come to the Police Department on 12 October at 10:00 a.m. The reason for the summons is “conducting investigative actions on criminal case No. 221166031000458”. Actually, the authorities are trying to prevent the activists from participating in the submission of the lists of the initiative group of “Alga Kazakhstan” party to the Ministry of Justice[28].

October 11, Zhanaozen, a group of Zhanaozen citizens came to the akimat with a demand to honestly investigate the attack on Zhumagaliyev Muratbay, an activist of the unregistered Democratic Party of Kazakhstan. They believe that the crime was organized by the akim of Zhanaozen Kosuakov Aibek, while the official denies it[29].

October 12, Zhanaozen, workers of “Ozenmunaigas” suspended their work in support of Zhumagaliyev Muratbay, who was beaten last week. They demanded that the investigation into the beating of the activist not be hindered and that the perpetrators be punished[30].

October 12, Astana, activists submitted documents to the Ministry of Justice for registration of the political party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”. The leader of the initiative group on the establishment of the party Kuanyshalin-Zhasaral reports that the documents were submitted for the third time. The Ministry of Justice returned the papers twice, citing detected discrepancies[31].

October 12, Astana, the Ministry of Justice reports that the package of documents for the establishment of the “Alga, Kazakhstan!” party cannot be accepted once again. The reasoning is unknown[32].

October 12, Almaty, police detained 4 activists who protested against the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Astana in front of the Russian Consulate. The protesters did not manage to come up to the Russian Consulate building and put forward their demands. The police attacked them and pushed them into a police truck[33].

October 12, Almaty, 2 hours after activists were detained near the Consulate of Russia, other activists gathered near the Pushkin monument and held a protest action. “We have protested today against Russia’s war in Ukraine and against Putin’s arrival and against our state’s position on Russia’s war”, Sekerbaeva Zhanar said[34].

October 12, Almaty region, Mukhametkarim Duman, a journalist and author of the YouTube channel “ND” reported that police officers have come to his house. The journalist posted on social networks a video of the moment when the police came. The video shows police officers trying to take him away from the house[35]. Later, MukhamedkarimDuman, Article 488, Part 7 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK was arrested for 15 days for his call to come out to the rally on 25 October in Almaty[36].

October 13, Almaty, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” conducted a study of the situation in Kazakhstan with regard to the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from October 06 to October 13, 2022[37].

October 13, Aktobe, the criminal court of the city started to consider the cases of the January events against 18 people under Articles 269, 272, 380, 391 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Among these 18 people Isayev Nursultan is charged under the most serious articles (“Mass Riots”, “Use of Violence against a Representative of Power”)[38].

October 13, Aktobe, violations were found at the first meeting on the January events: the charge sheet was signed by the state prosecutor, who is not involved in the consideration of this criminal case; the proceedings are conducted in Russian, but the court has not provided a competent interpreter from Russian to Kazakh, because not all defendants speak Russian; the charge sheet was incorrectly translated from Russian to Kazakh[39].

On October 13, Tashkent placed Urazbayev Niyetbayev, the Chairman of the Karakalpak ethno-cultural association of the Mangistau region “Allayarzholy-Aktau”, on the international wanted list. The Interior Ministry of Kazakhstan has put Urazbayev in its search engine as a person who is on the wanted list[40].

October 13, Almaty, Dzharylkasymov Rafik, Article 488, Part 7 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan was sentenced to 15 days of arrest for posting on Facebook a call to a rally against the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan on October 15[41].

October 13, Almaty, human rights defenders and civic activists believe that the sentence of 8-year imprisonment for Yelshibayev Yerzhan, who is being held in the facility ZK-169/5 in Kyzylorda under Article 106, Part 2, paragraph 7 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is illegal. They said this at a press conference at the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human Rights[42].

October 13, Almaty, activists of the unregistered Democratic Party of Kazakhstan stated during a press conference about the increasing pressure on them in the run-up to the upcoming presidential election[43].

October 14, Almaty, Kamataev Dinmukhamed, Article 488, Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan was sentenced to 15 days of arrest for taking part in an illegal Mourning rally on February 13, where over a hundred people placed flowers in memory of those who died during the January events[44].

October 14, Talgar, journalist Muhammedkarim Duman, Article 488, Part 7 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK was sentenced to 15 days of arrest, he went on hunger strike in the special detention facility, “because his rights were violated” – said his lawyer Galym Nurpeisov[45].

October 14, Almaty, Ilyashev Alnur filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan after the registration of K.Tokayev as a presidential candidate. The Central Election Commission is named as a defendant, and Tokayev, whom Ilyashev calls “the acting president” and his administration as an interested party[46].

October 14, Almaty, Ilyashev-Alnur states in his claim that Tokayev’s decree on the appointment of early presidential elections “was adopted in breach of the fundamental principles of the Republic set forth in Article 1 of the Constitution”. These principles include social harmony and political stability, resolving the most important issues of national life by democratic means[47].

October 14, Petropavlovsk, Yevgeniy Solovyev, the Director of the branch of the Public Fund “Yerkyndykkanaty” was detained by the police with no grounds in roder to “have a conversation about electoral processes”. The conversation concerned the fund, preparations for the upcoming elections and observers. After 45 minutes the activist was released. The police denied the fact of detention[48].

October 14, Almaty, there was an attack on the office of the “El Media” editorial office. “Today, early in the morning, employees of the office building, where the editorial office is located, found the broken glass of the entrance door and the words “ELMEDIA KZ.NEWS” on it[49].

On 14 October, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges Kazakhstani authorities not to extradite four detained members of the Karakalpak diaspora to Uzbekistan. HRW believes that they may be subjected to politically motivated persecution and torture in Uzbekistan. The organization asks Astana to register Toremuratov K., Zhaksymbetov Z., Khudaibergenova R. and Mirmanbetova Z. as asylum seekers “as soon as possible”[50].

October 14, all four Karakalpak activists who were detained have applied for asylum in Kazakhstan, HRW notes, with reference to the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human Rights. As soon as activists receive certificates of “asylum seeker”, the status of which is officially enshrined in the law, they cannot be forcibly returned to Uzbekistan[51].

October 17, Astana, the Supreme Court ended the consideration of the administrative case on the complaint of Ilyashev Alnur against the Central Election Commission. Judge Irina Kalashnikova delivered a judgement rejecting the plaintiff who demanded to cancel the registration of President Tokayev as a candidate in the upcoming Presidential elections[52].

October 17, Almaty, the windows of the editorial office of El Media were broken again. As reported by the publication someone named “Andrey” wrote on the editorial board’s Telegram: “Good afternoon, have you seen we broke the windows again yesterday” and threatened that “they are planning something else and really grandiose. He also noted: “We will come again today”[53].

October 18, Talgar, Mukhammedkarim Duman, Article 488, Part 7 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan was put under arrest for 15 days.The Court of Appeal dismissed the journalist’s appeal against his arrest. Muhammedkarim, who is currently in prison, demanded to meet with his colleagues. His demand was not met, and after that he appealed to end the hunger strike [54].

October 18, Almaty, observer organizations began preparations for monitoring the upcoming campaign. They try to cover as many polling stations with observation as possible. But there are not many people willing to join them[55].

October 18, Taldykorgan, the trial against the police officers who tortured the detainees during and after the January protests was stalled. The victims have demanded that other police officers be brought to justice as well. The court recessed the proceedings until October 28: a decision must be made during this time concerning the judicial investigation[56].

October 18, Aktau, an unidentified person broke the rear window of Nurgazin Bolat’s car. There is every reason to suppose that this is a provocation made by the authorities, because the day before Nurgazin had submitted a notification to hold a peaceful protest on October 24. This is the third provocation, the first time his license plate number was stolen, and the second time he had all four tires of his car slashed[57].

October 18, Astana, the akimat rejected Zhylanbayev Marat to hold a peaceful protest on October 25 with the topic: “Abolition of presidential elections. Register all established political parties. International investigation of January events. Release all political prisoners”. The reason for the refusal was that the previously agreed event would be held on that day. [58].

October 18, Kazakhstan ranked 53rd out of 70 in the world ranking of freedom on the Net and remains in the group of countries with a non-free Internet. Since 2021, the country has lost one score, which the authors of Freedom House’s annual report on Internet freedom in the countries attribute to, among other things, large-scale blocking of access to the Web during mass protests in cities in early January of this year[59].

October 19, Taldykorgan, a device with a SIM-card was found under the car bottom by a well-known journalist Duisenova Sandugash. As specified by the employee of the service station, the device was attached to the rear gearbox of the vehicle[60].

October 19, Astana, three Deputies of the Majilis did not support the draft law on amnesty for persons persecuted in connection with the January events by having abstained in the voting. One of them stated that those who shot people and used torture “should not be released from liability”[61].

On October 19, Kokshetau, the akimat of the city refused the activists Negmetov and Mukhamedjanov to hold a peaceful rally on October 25 based on Article 14, clause 1, subparagraph 10 of the Law “On the procedure for organizing and holding peaceful assemblies”[62].

19 October, Almaty region, Zarechny settlement, Narymbaev Yermek, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On the 17th day of hunger strike the jailed activist left instructions to his supporters in case of his death. He instructed to use his organs as donor organs, his body can be used for scientific purposes. The funeral should be conducted without mullahs, with patriotic songs[63].

October 19, Zhanaozen, Nurbaev Kelbet, Article 73-3, Part 2 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. After a statement by the akim of the city Kosuakov Aibek that Nurbaev “has posted on Facebook words that insulted his honor and dignity”, the city court ruled to arrest the activist for 20 days,

October 19, Aktobe, at the regular session of the court on the cases of January events the evidence of police officers and firefighters, who were given the status of “victims”, has been heard. The police officers named as “victims” stated that they did not identify the defendants[64].

October 19, Astana, “At least one police officer may fall under the one-time amnesty which was announced by the authorities for the participants of the January events; this officer will be charged under Article 432 “Concealment of a crime” of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A total of 49 criminal cases were opened against police officers, 29 people were detained in cases of torture, of whom 17 were police officers and 12 national security officers”, says a representative of the General Prosecutor’s Office, Chindaliev Aset[65].

20 October, Shymkent, the akimat refused Muratbayeva Gulzhan to hold a peaceful protest on October 24, 2022. The topic of the protest: “Cancellation of presidential elections. Registration of all established political parties. International investigation of January events. Release all political prisoners”. The reason for the refusal was that the regulations of the peaceful assembly were allegedly not specified[66].

20 October, Almaty, the akimat denied Imangaliyeva Bibigul to hold a peaceful protest on October 25, 2022. The topic of the protest: “Cancellation of presidential elections. Registration of all established political parties. International investigation of January events. Release all political prisoners”. The reason for the refusal was that on the same day the place for peaceful assembly was already occupied for another event[67].

On October 20, Uralsk, in response to five notifications, the akimat denied Utebayev Bekbolat the right to hold a peaceful rally and a solitary picket on October 24, 25, 27, 28 and 20 November 2022. The reason for the refusal was that on the same days the place for peaceful assembly had already been occupied by other events, and also in the submitted documents there was “unreliable information”[68].

October 20, Almaty, “The Alliance of Human Rights Organizations is in the process of documenting Kantar2022 for history. If you suffered or witnessed these events, please contact us, we will document your evidence and keep it for future generations to let them know what really happened. Contact us via WhatsApp and Telegram! My phone number is +77018004495” – the human rights defender Toregozhina Bakhytzhan informs[69].

October 20, Almaty, human rights defender Toregozhina-Bakhytzhan appealed to human rights ombudsman Elvira Azimova with a statement regarding the detention of Karakalpak activists. “We appeal to you, as the country’s main human rights defender, with a request to express publicly your position on the persecution of four Karakalpak activists who are currently applying for asylum in the Republic of Kazakhstan. We ask you in accordance with your mandate to visit them immediately to find out whether they need medical and legal support”[70].

October 20, Astana, Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, while commenting on the detention of four Karakalpak activists in Kazakhstan, stated that Astana considered them “primarily” as citizens of Uzbekistan [71].

October 20, Astana, Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi stated that Astana saw no need to involve international experts in the investigation of the January events. Tleuberdi said this when asked about the recent appeal of four US Senators to Joe Biden’s administration[72].

October 20, a group of Kazakhstani and international human rights organizations urged the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Canada to pressure Astana to ensure an independent international investigation into the deaths of more than 200 people during mass protests in early January 2022 and numerous accounts of torture of detainees[73].

October 20, Semey, pretrial detention facility, Aliyev Rinat, Article 256, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, appealed to the European Union deputies, US senators and all human rights activists to launch an international investigation, as he believes that his case, which was initiated during the bloody events of January, was totally fabricated. He has been in prison for almost 10 months and has filed numerous complaints about the violation of his rights without any results[74].

October 20, Taldykorgan, the regional court ruled to change the measure of restraint from house arrest to detention for police officer Kenzhebayev Aydin, who is charged with torture with iron on detainees in connection with the January events, lawyer A. Tusipova reported[75].

October 20, Almaty, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” conducted a study of the situation in Kazakhstan with regard to the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from October 13 to October 20, 2022[76].

October 21, Almaty, Tleuzhanova Aigerim, Article 255, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the investigation of the attack on the Almaty airport during the January events reclassified the activist from a witness to a suspect. She is suspected under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Organization of mass riots”[77].

October 21, Almaty, political scientist Alzhanov Dimash informed that he has received a call from a police officer. “Today I received a phone call from Serikpaev, the district police officer of Auezov district, and he said that someone named Galymzhan from Petropavlovsk has filed a complaint against me about inciting hatred”. He attributes this pressure from the authorities to the upcoming early presidential elections[78].

October 21, Turkestan region, trial of Baidauletov Murat, Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK for participation in the activities of DCK and Koshepartiyasy. The prosecutor asked the court to restrict the activist’s liberty for 1 year and prohibit him from public activity for 3 years. A recording of a live broadcast on Facebook criticizing the authorities was the reason for the charges[79].

October 21, Aktau, the akimat of the city denied the activist Nurgazin-Bolat to hold a peaceful rally on October 25. A wrongly drawn up notice for holding the rally was the reason for the refusal[80].

October 21, Kostanay, the akimat refused the activist Said-Akhmet S. to hold a peaceful rally on October 25. The reason for the refusal was the incorrect notification, namely not later than 5 working days before the rally, according to Article 10, paragraph 1 of the law “On the procedure for organizing and holding peaceful assemblies”[81].

October 22, Almaty, Iskakova Bakhyt, mother of Musin Adlet, who was detained in connection with the January events and complained about torture in custody, held a solitary picket outside the building of the city prosecutor’s office. She demanded the release of her son from the detention facility and a fair investigation into her complaint of torture in the detention facility[82].

October 22, Almaty, “The Prosecutor General’s Office has issued about a dozen warnings against fakes, false information and other verbal nastiness. And not a single one – in defense of journalists, of those arrested, beaten or intimidated”, said human rights activist Kaleeva Tamara[83].

October 22, Almaty, the case of the murder of four-year-old Meldekhan Haykorkem during #qantar2022 was transferred from the Police Department to the Military Investigation Department. Eight months later the investigation determined, based on a shell casing, that it was a member of the armed forces who shot her. But the father of the victim does not reveal the last name of the serviceman, as he is not allowed to disclose such information[84].

October 22, Almaty, the police came to the supporter of Mamay Zhanbolat, who had hung on the balcony of his house the poster with Mamay’s picture. The police officer asked to remove the poster under Article 505 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (violation of the rules of improvement of the territory of the city)[85].

October 23, Astana, the Prosecutor General’s Office issued a warning not to attend “illegal rallies” in the coming days and warned of some “provocations” in social networks with calls to attend rallies on October 24 and 25, 2022, – informed Deputy Prosecutor General Umiraliev Zhandos[86].

October 24, Almaty, Mamayu Zhanbolat, Article 378, Article 274, Part 4, Article 272, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK; the charge of “organization of mass riots” was reclassified to the charge of “violation of the order of organization and holding of peaceful assemblies” under Article 400 of the Criminal Code of the RK[87].

October 24, Kostanay, the akimat of the city denied activists to hold peaceful protests on October 15, 16 and 22 in response to the notices submitted, on the following topics: Cancellation of the presidential elections. Registration of all established political parties. Release all political prisoners. Reason for refusal: The submitted notifications “do not meet” the legal requirements [88].

October 25, the Senate of Kazakhstan will review a bill which envisages the release of participants of the Bloody January for criminal offenses of small and medium gravity. The amnesty would not cover: perpetrators of torture, terrorists, extremists, recidivists and riot organizers[89].

October 25, in advance of EU President Charles Michel’s visit to Kazakhstan, four human rights organizations sent him a letter in which they urged him to raise topical human rights issues and that the EU expects significant progress on human rights in order to further deepen relations with the countries of the region[90].

October 25, Astana, the territory of supposed rally place was enclosed by metal fences, police cars and buses with tinted windows were running nearby. There were people in plain clothes at the main entrance; there were police officers every 50 meters[91].

October 25, Astana, on the way to the place of supposed rally civil activists Tamabaeva Galiya and Zhanbaeva Venera were detained[92]. Disabled persons of groups I and II and civil activists Bekishev Yermek and Saduov Azamat were unlawfully detained by law enforcement officers before they arrived to the place of the rally[93]. Also Musabayev Marat and Toleu Ruslan were rudely detained. SWAT officers detained[94]. Turdiyeva Ulbolsyn and transported her to the Baikonyr police station[95].

On October 25, Astana, on the day of supposed meeting, at 11 o’clock in the afternoon Nugmanov Mereke was detained near the house. He was detained for 5 hours in the 67th police department of Saryarka district and later released[96].

October 25, Karaganda, Rakhimov Galym submitted a notification to hold a peaceful rally on October 25 in front of the building of the regional akimat. He was refused by local authorities to hold the meeting. The reason of the refusal was wrongly drawn up notification for the rally[97].

October 25, Almaty, Republic Square was cordoned off by police and special vehicles on the day of the supposed rally. On the central streets in the morning there were police cars and vans. Also, Astana Square on Tole Bi Street was cordoned off and a bus with police officers was observed on the Arbat near TSUM[98].

October 25, Almaty, it was reported that the Chair of the “Independent Observers” Association, Nazarova Araylym, was taken to the police on the day of the supposed rally; later she was released[99].

October 25, Almaty, the uthorities detained Mubarakov Aydar in a car on the day of supposed rally. His phone was taken away from him [100]. Activist Tabyldiyeva Nazym was detained in a brutal manner. The activist was attacked by police officers from behind and her phone was also taken away[101]. Syzdykov Aydara, a blogger, was detained[102].

October 25, Pavlodar region, Aksu, Kurmanov Yembergeny was detained by a district inspector. He was taken to the Aksu City Police Department, allegedly to be questioned about the noise that was near his house. Sometime later Kurmanov was released[103].

October 26, “MEPs are ‘monitoring closely’ the human rights situation in Kazakhstan and expect the country’s authorities to implement democratic reforms”, Christian Sagartz, a member of the Austrian People’s Party, said at a meeting of the European Parliament’s subcommittee[104].

October 26, Philippe Dam, Human Rights Watch’s advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia, informed that Astana has not carried out an objective and transparent investigation into the shooting of civilians and the torture of detainees during the January events[105].

October 25, Taraz, Kanatov Nurlan reported that at 10 p.m. there was an assault on him and his family, with the use of explosives. There was a violent explosion and his car that was parked in front of the house burned down. He attributes the incident to civic activism[106].

October 26, Astana, members of the organizing committee for the establishment of the opposition party “Alga Kazakhstan!” filed a list of the initiative group with the Ministry of Justice for the fourth time in 2022 in order to register the party[107].

October 27 the initiative group for registration of the opposition party “Alga, Kazakhstan!” submitted documents to the Ministry of Justice once again. The day before, the Ministry once again returned the documents, saying that they “do not comply with the law ‘On Political Parties”, but without explaining what exactly “does not comply”[108].

October 27, Astana, activists of the initiative group on registration of the “Alga Kazakhstan!” party addressed a video message to Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, who is now in Astana for an official visit, and asked him to provide assistance with the registration of the party[109].

October 27, Almaty, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” conducted a study of the situation in Kazakhstan with regard to the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from October 20 to October 27, 2022[110].

October 27, Astana, a police officer visited the Astana office of Radio Azattyk during the visit of Charles Michel, President of the European Council, to the capital. The police officer demanded to remove the video of the motorcade of the foreign official driving out of the presidential residence Akorda [111].

October 27, Astana, the General Prosecutor’s Office reported that the investigation was completed into the death of three people from torture. “Six people died as a result of torture. Investigations into the deaths of three people have now been completed. The suspects are now getting acquainted with the materials” – said Deputy Prosecutor General Chindaliev Aset[112].

October 27, the Parliament of Kazakhstan approved a draft law on amnesty for participants in the January events. People accused of killing for defense purposes and involuntary manslaughter could fall under the amnesty campaign. People who have buried relatives believe authorities are trying to exempt security forces from punishment[113].

October 27, Petropavlovsk, the city court continued consideration of the case of obstructing the professional activities of journalists of the TV channel “Khabar 24”. Sagandykov Sultan, head of security at Dostyk Mall shopping and entertainment center, was charged under Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan[114].

October 27, Almaty region, Kaskelen city, Kaziyev Yerkin, Article 380, Part 1, Paragraph 3, Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK. Police officers detained an activist who was hiding from the authorities. He was placed in the facility LA-155/72[115].

October 27, Almaty, “Parliament passed a law on amnesty and Senator Volkov V. reported that 1,112 people have been convicted on the January events, including 128 people who have been sentenced to imprisonment. We found 75 people and publish their names for information. Many of the relatives do not agree with the sentences” – reports human rights defender Toregozhina Bakhytzhan[116].

October 28, Almaty, facility LA-155/18, Mamay Zhanbolat, Articles 378, 274, 400 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the criminal case was referred to the Bostandyk district court, reports his lawyer Balgabaeva Zhanara[117].

October 28, Almaty region, Aitey village, Nurmukhanov Samat, a participant of the January events, who suffered severe torture in custody, being in a difficult situation said “It is better to die than to suffer like this”. He has no medical insurance to receive free treatment and no means to visit private clinics[118].

October 28, Uralsk, Utebayev Bekbolat, went to the central square near the city akimat. He was holding a poster with an appeal to release politically persecuted people from prisons, to carry out political reforms in Kazakhstan and with criticism of the former president of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev, who is considered by the activist to be a dictator[119].

October 28, Almaty region, Zarechnyi village, facility LA-155/14, Narymbayev Yermek, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Committee of the Penitentiary System (KUIS) responded to the situation with the hunger strike, which he had declared earlier. “If medical personnel recommend, the inmate may be administered parenteral, or intravenous nutrition, to further ensure the body’s vitality”, the KUIS states[120].

October 30, Bishkek, “Zheksebaev Askhat and Baimagambetova Diana were detained and arrested for 2 months. They crossed the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border illegally”, reports lawyer Zarifa Baruzova[121].

October 31, Astana, the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan refused to accept the lawsuit of two civil activists against the Central Election Commission, which previously refused to register them as self-nominated candidates in the upcoming early presidential election. The lawsuit was filed by civic activists Fabryi Anton and Zhumagulov Omar [122].

31 October, Taraz, Chingisbekov Bakytzhan, father of the deceased 18-year-old Kuatbayev Nursultan appeals to members of the European Parliament, the US State Department, the governments of the European Union, Great Britain and Canada, as well as the UN, OSCE and PACE to organize an independent international investigation of the January events in Kazakhstan[123].

October 31, Astana, Zakirova Sanovar submitted a notification to the Akimat of Astana to hold a peaceful meeting on November 11 from 12-00 to 14-00, at 8, Mangilik el. Topic of the meeting: “Realization of my rights to express my opinion about bringing President Tokayev K.K. to the Hague Tribunal, because I think that the order to shoot unarmed protesters without warning is illegal”[124].

31 October, Semei, Tugelbaev Mukhit, Article 272, Parts 2,3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Mass Riots” on 5 January. Tugelbaev pleads not guilty and stresses that he tried to protect the akimat building from the pogroms[125].

31 October, Almaty region, Zarechniy village, facility LA-155/14, Narymbaev Yermek, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On the 29th day of the hunger strike, public activists and journalists came to visit the political prisoner. The public activists asked him to stop the hunger strike. He answered that he would continue the hunger strike until the day of presidential elections on November 20[126].

October 31, Almaty, Darkhan Valiev, who was convicted under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, reports that “the criminal case of torture against me was thrown into the waste-paper basket. The people who were beating me on January 10, 2022 in the building of the Department of Police were promoted in their ranks and positions”, says Darkhan Valiev[127].

[1]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/pfbid02YfW7S97kQqMrwBbB71nbmHaqRepctwcpMeTWGJTASycR5cd4J4nczt5cQ76ovw1yl

[2]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32064219.html

[3]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32068052.html

[4]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/akim-akmolinskoy-oblasti-podal-isk-na-kommentatora-v-sotssetyakh-4-10-22

[5]https://orda.kz/eshhe-odnu-karakalpakskuyu-aktivistku-zaderzhali-v-almaty/

[6]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ONJAsmfG3w

[7]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32064779.html

[8]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/svinuyu-golovu-s-porvannym-foto-glavreda-v-pasti-prislali-redaktsii-ordy-v-almaty

[9]https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02yA7aUyJcEtUTMHbHiu4U8hn2tnZmg8raasGb4AMzAfgHVZtJw6ndkTNqH1oEU8qdl&id=100076779432757

[10]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32066572.html

[11]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS5PH-AizQ8&ab_channel=AzattyqTV-%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%82%D1%8B%D2%9B-%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%82%D1%8B%D0%BA

[12]https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/svinuyu-golovu-s-porvannym-foto-glavreda-v-pasti-prislali-redaktsii-ordy-v-almaty