MONITORING OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN 1 to April 30, 2024

April 1, Astana, Astana police department has confirmed that journalist Adilbekov D. has been arrested in a criminal case: “A criminal case has been opened against citizen A. on the fact of spreading knowingly false information about the commission of a crime. The court has chosen a measure of restraint in the form of detention”[1].

April 1, Kyzylorda, activist Bekmaganbetov Y. said: “On March 28, 2024, I was unlawfully detained by police officers and taken to the police station, where officer Bedelbaev A., in violation of the legislation, made a report against me under Article 488, Part 7 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK and and I was detained for one day because of the publication of a post on Facebook on March 4, 2014, calling for a peaceful protest”[2].

April 2, Mangistau region, Munaily District, an initiative group of local residents demands early termination of powers of four deputies of the regional Maslikhat, who were elected by single-member territorial constituencies at the extraordinary elections on March 19, 2023. The reason for the demands is the unsatisfactory performance of the deputies[3].

April 3, Astana, Institution No. 64, political prisoner Danebaev T., Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 3 years’ imprisonment, met with Turgumbaev R., Deputy Head of the Department of the Penitentiary and Correctional System, who threatened Danebaev T. that if he did not stop complaining about the appalling conditions of his detention, he would be sent to a place where he “would not have a chance to complain”[4].

April 3, Astana, Ugubaeva Sauletai, Article 488, Part 6 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 15 days of detention, was released. According to the court, on March 14, 2024 Ugubaeva S., being in the vicinity of the Ministry of Justice, took part in an unauthorized public event[5].

April 4, Almaty, Kazakh political scientist and Chinese scholar Syroezhkin K., who has been serving a ten-year prison sentence in Kazakhstan under Article 175, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for high treason since 2019, has been granted conditional release from prison[6].

April 4, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from March 28 to April 4, 2024[7].

April 4, another representative of the Karakalpak diaspora, Rinat Utambetov, was arrested in the Almaty region at the request of Uzbekistan. He is the third victim in a new round of persecution by the Uzbek security services of those who are in favor of Karakalpakstan’s independence[8].

April 4, Satpayev, Ulytau region, the regional court sentenced B. Nasyrkhanov under Article 430 of the Criminal Code of the RK to 1.6 years of deprivation of liberty and banned him from engaging in social and political activities for 3 years. He was accused of “non-execution” of the additional punishment under the first sentence — prohibition to engage in public and political activities for 3 years and was sentenced to pay 51750 tenge ($116) in compensation to the “Victims’ Fund”[9].

April 5, Karaganda region, Abay city, Institution No. 29: Lawyer Nurpeisov G. met with political prisoner Yelshibaev E. The political prisoner has no complaints about his general state of health, but he needs to be examined by specialized doctors, which only the Ministry of Health can provide: a dermatologist, a urologist and others. Yerzhan has no conflicts and disciplinary problems[10].

April 5, Astana, Majilis deputies Aimagambetov A. and Ashimzhanov Zh. have proposed an amendment to the law “On Mass Media” that would prohibit the media from writing about LGBT people. According to them, this could be considered propaganda and would threaten media outlets with suspension or termination of their activities[11].

7 April, Kostanai, Musabaev K., Article 434, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 10 days’ imprisonment. He was sentenced by the court because of the video in which Musabaev K. expressed the unpleasant truth and emotionally expressed his indignation about the bad work of Tokayev K. and the government during the floods[12].

April 8, Akmola region, Arshaly village, Dzhomartov S., Article 488, Part 12 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK. The court sentenced the activist to a fine of 258440 tenge (580 dollars). He was accused of calling for an unauthorized rally in connection with a repost in a social network containing information about a rally during the celebration of Nowryz in March[13].

April 8, Almaty, K. Toremuratov, a Karakalpak activist, warned of the possibility of continued extradition arrests of ethnic Karakalpaks in Kazakhstan. Formally, the detainees may be accused of violating migration regulations[14].

April 8, Berlin, dozens of people demonstrated in against domestic violence in Kazakhstan. The demonstration was triggered by the death of Nukenova N., the wife of Kazakhstan’s former economy minister. The demonstrators demanded that the punishment for domestic violence be increased and that the ex-minister be sentenced to life in prison[15].

April 8, Almaty, an administrative case under Article 73-3 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK was instituted against journalist Niyazov A. According to the Ministry of Culture, the repost that the journalist made in Telegram “creates a risk of disruption of public safety or causing substantial damage to the rights and legitimate interests of citizens or organizations”[16].

April 8, Astana, the name of activist Zhylanbaev M., Articles 405, 258 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 7 years of imprisonment as a result of a closed trial, appeared in the list of “persons involved in the financing of extremism and terrorism”. The list was published on the website of the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan[17].

April 9, Astana, presentation of the draft law “On the National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, prepared by experts of the Coalition of NGOs of Kazakhstan against Torture, participants of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (including former and current members of the Coordinating Council of the NPM). The legal status and organization of the activities of this mechanism are specified in the submitted draft law[18].

April 9, Astana, Sadvakasova A., Article 274, Part 4, Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of RK, 3 years restriction of liberty: Akmola Regional Court rejected appeal for release on parole. Reason for rejection: Arrest under Article 488 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK of November 18, 2022prior to the presidential elections[19].

April 10, Astana, the provision on criminal liability for propaganda of “non-traditional sexual relation” “disappeared’ from the comparative table of the accompanying draft law “On Mass Media”, said lawyer Birzhanova G., a member of the working group on the draft law[20].

April 10, Almaty region, Chundzha village, it was reported that the activist Atinbayev B. was subjected to torture and ill-treatment in the TDF of the district police department[21].

April 10, Uralsk, Sattagulov N., Article 434, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 10 days of detention. The activist shot a video showing the distribution of aid to flood victims in the building of the party “Amanat”. The court sentenced him for allegedly offensive molestation to citizens[22].

April 10, Almaty region, Zhaugashty settlement, Institution No. 10, Tleuzhanova A., Article 272, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK. 4 years of imprisonment. Tleuzhanova A. went on hunger strike again in the colony because she was no longer taken to the planned paid treatment in the hospital in Almaty[23].

April 10, Almaty, unidentified persons hacked and put out of operation the hotline number of the fund for assistance to victims of domestic and sexualized violence #NeMolchyKZ. This was told to “Mediazona” by Smailova D., the founder of the organization[24].

April 10, Kostanay, Smakova A., Article 489, Part 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, was sentenced to a fine of 184,600 tenge ($412). The reason for the prosecution was last year’s video with instructions on how to join the party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”, as the party is in the process of creation and trying to start the registration procedure[25].

April 10, Petropavlovsk, Izmailov S., Article 486, Part 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK. The court sentenced the human rights defender to a fine of 184,600 tenge (412 dollars) for his participation in the activities of public and religious associations not registered in accordance with the procedure established by law (party “Alga, Kazakhstan!’)[26].

April 10, Astana, Zhaksymbek Maksat, Article 488, Part 7 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 15 days of detention. According to the case materials as of 08.04.24, on his page in the social network “Tik-Tok”, in support of mothers, the defendant posted a call for activities that were not authorized by the authorities[27].

April 11, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from April 4 to April 11, 2024[28].

On April 11, in Astana, Deputy Minister Kochetov E. commented on the administrative case against journalist Niyazov A.: “Article 456 has been in force since September last year. If we check the wording of the article in the Code of Administrative Offences, it says ‘placing and ‘spreading’ false information. That is, it refers not only to the publication of false information, but also to its distribution, which includes reposting as a form of distribution.”[29].

April 11, Pavlodar region, Mayskiy district, Temirgalinov A., Article 434, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 6 days of detention for publication on his Facebook page, in which he used foul language. His actions were disrespectful to others and disturbed public order[30].

On April 12, Kostanai, Aligazina A.: with a poster: “Floods are the result of corruption”, activist of the movement “Qushtar” held a solitary picket in support of the people affected by the floods. Police and Akimat officials approached her and demanded that she stop the picket. Shortly thereafter, the action was ended. Nobody was arrested or detained[31].

April 12, Almaty, “As you know, after the events of #Qantar 2022, 19 cases of torture and ill-treatment were recognized by the authorities under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the RK. Six cases were brought to trial. More than 32 employees of TDFs and pre-trial detention facilities were sentenced. At the same time, not a single head of SIZOs and TDFs was held accountable, and the heads of police departments remained sort of ‘out of the picture’”- reported human rights defender Toregozhina B.[32].

April 12, Washington, D.C., (USA), the annual report of Freedom House states that Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are on the way to autocracy. This is the overall picture for Central Asia. Rising authoritarianism and wars have accelerated the region’s geopolitical transformation[33].

April 12, Karaganda, “in light of the accusations against the state institution «Department for Coordination of Employment and Social Programs of Karaganda Region», recent developments in the management of asylum seekers in our country have raised serious concerns among human rights defenders and international organizations”[34].

On April 12, Kostanay, the Regional Court considered the appeal of activist Sarsenbaev M.Zh. regarding his conviction under Article 73-3, Part 2 of Code of Administrative Offences of the RK and the fine amounting to 664560 tenge. The court decided to annul the decision of Karabalyk district court as of 19.03.2024 and to dismiss the case. Sarsenbaev M.Zh. has the right to rehabilitation[35].

April 13, Taldykorgan, Institution No. 71, Muhammedkarim D., Articles 258, 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK. Muhammedkarim D. went on hunger strike again in prison. He is dissatisfied with the delays in the investigation and trial against him[36].

April 13, Astana, press conference of the unregistered party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”. They informed that they have been denied premises in several places and were going to give an account of the obstacles they face in trying to register the party[37].

On April 13, Adilbekov D., journalist and founder of the telegram channel “Dikaya Orda”, who is suspected of having made a false denunciation against Deputy Minister of Energy E. Akkenzhenov under Article 419 of the Criminal Code of the RK, complained of pressure and torture by NSC officers. His lawyer, A. Mautkanov, reported on the case[38].

April 14, Almaty, four police officers were arrested in the case of the Kyrgyz jazzman Ruzakhunov V., who survived torture during the events of #Qantar2022. The case has been referred to the General Prosecutor’s Office. Together with Ruzakhunov, 22 people have been recognized as victims[39].

April 14, Almaty, the case of mass torture of about one hundred migrants, citizens of Central Asian countries in January 2022, who were targeted as “terrorists”, was referred by the Almaty Regional Prosecutor’s Office to the Prosecutor General’s Office[40].

On April 16, the akimats of Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Kokshetau, and Pavlodar did not grant permission to hold peaceful assemblies on May 1, 2024 (5 refusals). Issues: Freedom for political prisoners, registration of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”, payment of compensation to flood victims in the amount of 50 million tenge. Reasons for refusal: Previously coordinated activities, submission of unreliable data[41].

On April 16, the Akimats of Petropavlovsk, Kostanay, Shymkent, Semey, Aktobe, and Uralsk did not grant permission to hold peaceful assemblies on May 1, 2024 (6 refusals). Issues: Freedom for political prisoners, registration of the “Alga, Kazakhstan!” party, payment of 50 million tenge in compensation to flood victims. Reasons for refusal: Previously coordinated activities, providing incomplete data, failing to meet full peaceful assembly requirements[42].

April 16, New York (USA), The United Nations welcomed Kazakhstan’s adoption of laws to protect women’s rights and children’s safety, the organization’s press service reported[43].

April 16, Pavlodar region, Aksu city, activist Kurmanov E. urged citizens of Kazakhstan to hold a peaceful rally on May 1, 2024 in front of local akimats. Demands: to register the party “Alga Kazakhstan!”, to make Kazakhstan a parliamentary republic, to elect Akims. He also assumed that he would be arrested before May 1 and then go on hunger strike. [44].

April 16, Petropavlovsk, a local businessman named R. was detained for 15 days. He was videotaping the distribution of humanitarian aid to flood victims at a local mosque[45].

April 16, Astana, Kulyshev Nurbek, Article 488, Part 11 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, was released after 20 days of detention. According to the court records, on March 14, 2024, Kulyshev N., being near the Ministry of Justice, took part in an unauthorized public action[46].

April 17, Kyzylorda, activist Serikbayeva Gulnaz alleged that she was politically persecuted by the Kazakh authorities for her political beliefs[47].

April 17, Almaty, A group of Kazakh human rights defenders announced the expansion of the list of political prisoners. The list includes activist Dzhaparova K. from Shymkent, public activist Akhmetkaliev M. from Kokshetau, and businessman and activist Zhamuratov A. from Almaty[48].

April 17, Astana, Adilbekov D., Article 419, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the RK: The arrested journalist appealed to the independent media of Kazakhstan to conduct a journalistic investigation related to his detention[49].

April 17, Astana, the legitimacy of the criminal case under Article 419, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of RK against journalist Adilbekov D. was examined by the prosecutor’s office, reports the press service of the police department of the city[50].

On April 17, in Almaty, at a press conference held at the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, trade union officials from the regions of Mangistau and Aktobe reported on the pressure and dismissals they face when they form or participate in trade union organizations[51].

April 17, Astana, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament approved the second reading of the draft law “On Mass Media’. According to the bill, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan will be able to deny accreditation to foreign media “in case of a threat to national security”. A court decision will no longer be required to suspend the activities of such publications[52].

April 17, Astana, Abenova G.: Three police officers came to the journalist’s home outside of working hours and demanded that she write an explanation as to why she was writing about the floods[53].

April 18, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from April 11 to April 18, 2024[54].

April 18, Astana, M. Kozhayev, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, disagrees with the opinion that the facts of criminal prosecution of journalists are becoming more frequent. “I will not say that very often you probably know all these cases”, Kozhayev M. said, when responding to questions about the arrest of the journalist Adilbekov D.[55]

April 18, Astana, Abenova G. The court found the journalist guilty under Article 456-2, Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK for spreading false information about floods in North Kazakhstan region. The court sentenced her to pay a fine of 73840 tenge[56].

April 19, Almaty, the Alatau District Court is hearing a lawsuit in which 24 people who were sentenced to probation in connection with the events of #Qantar2022 are defendants. The plaintiff is the Department of Border Guard Service of the NSC in the Almaty region[58].

April 19, Akmola region, Aksu village, Sizov A. The court found him guilty under Article 73-3, Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK and sentenced him to a fine of 664560 tenge. On February 12, 2024, Sizov A. videotaped 10 ruptures and fluid leakages on the territory of the main pulp line from the gold mining factory of “QARABULAQ GOLD” LLP to the tailings dump[59].

April 19, Astana, the criminal case against journalist Adilbekov D. has been reclassified from false denunciation to spreading intentionally false information under Article 274, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, which provides for up to three years in prison[60].

April 19, Koshmambet village, Almaty region, a businessman from Uzbekistan was detained by people in military camouflage during the events of #Qantar 2022. He was on his way to Shymkent by bus on business and had 17 million tenge with him. He was taken to a special detention center in the village of Koshmambet, where he was beaten, tortured, humiliated and his money was taken away, which has not been returned yet[61].

April 21, Uralsk, Journalists and drones have been banned from working in flooded areas of the Western Kazakhstan region while the emergency regime remains in place. The authorities of the region explain such measures by “safety of life and health of representatives of mass media”. This was reported by the Emergency Situations Department[62].

April 21, Uralsk, K. Karabalaev, deputy head of the Emergency Situations Department, at a briefing announced the prohibition of access of journalists and bloggers to the danger zone of flooded areas. This decision of the Emergency Situations Department of the West Kazakhstan region is a matter of concern for the Adil Soz Foundation. We are aware of the importance of protecting the lives and health of all citizens, but we believe that restricting the access of media representatives to these areas is excessive and illegal[63].

On April 22, in Almaty, the lawyers of Muhammedkarim D. and Tleuzhanova A., who are currently behind bars, held a press conference calling on the Kazakh authorities to take action and stop pressuring their clients. They provided information on the state of health of Muhammedkarim D. and Tleuzhanova A., who remain on hunger strike in detention[64].

On April 22, a briefing on the increasing cases of harassment of journalists in Kazakhstan was held in Astana. Birzhanova G. and lawyers Mautkanov A. and Tokayeva A. spoke at the briefing on behalf of the Legal Media Center Foundation. Two cases of harassment of journalists were discussed at the briefing [65].

April 22, Astana, the military court of the Akmola garrison sentenced four former NSC officers accused of torturing 13 people. The detainees were recognized as victims in the case of alleged theft of gold-bearing raw materials[66].

22 April, Vienna, Austria, Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting. On the role of civil society in the promotion and protection of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Address by human rights defender Toregozhina B. during the OSCE ODIHR Spring Session[67].

Astana, April 22, the possibility of blocking the social network TikTok in Kazakhstan has been considered by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan. “Today we can see that the amount of illegal content in social networks is increasing”, said the Minister of Culture and Information Balayeva A.[68].

April 22, Zhanaozen, hundreds of employees of the oilfield services company “West Oil Software”, who last year demanded their return to the staff of “KazMunayGas”, are now being offered a transfer to a third company with high salaries and good working conditions[69].

April 22, Astana, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan began the investigation of the criminal case of torture of jazz pianist from Kyrgyzstan Ruzakhunov V. and other citizens[70].

April 22, Astana, the journalists were allowed to return to the courtroom at the trial of Bishimbayev K., who is charged with torture and brutal murder of his wife Nukenova S.[71].

Astana, April 23, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Media Corporation (RFE/RL) has reached a mediation agreement with the Foreign Ministry to resolve the Radio Azattyk journalists’ accreditation situation in Kazakhstan[72].

April 23, Washington, D.C., The human rights situation in Kazakhstan has not changed significantly in 2023, a new U.S. State Department country report states. The authors of the Kazakhstan report note that the country’s serious human rights challenges include credible reports[73].

April 24, London (UK), “The year 2023 saw a setback for human rights around the world. In Kazakhstan, says the annual report of the human rights organization Amnesty International, «the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association were unduly restricted.”[74].

April 24, Almaty, journalist Maricheva D., author of the project “ProTenge” was detained by police officers. She was taken to the Bostandyk district department for publishing “ProTenge” in support of Azattyk, due to the denial of accreditation[75].

April 24, Astana, the group for the creation of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan!” for the 24th time submitted documents for registration in the Ministry of Justice. The activists, who were in the reception room and decided to tell the press about their concerns, were approached by police officers who asked them to leave the reception area[76].

April 25, Almaty, Maricheva Dzhamilya: “In connection with the fact of spreading false information on the telegram channel “ProTenge” a report was made against the author of the publication” under the new Article 456-2, Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK “Placement, distribution of false information”. The police referred the case to the administrative court of the city of Almaty[77].

April 25, Astana, Minister Balaeva A. refused to evaluate the actions of the police in the case of chief editor of “PRO TENGE” Maricheva D. “The Ministry of Culture and Information does not have the right to evaluate the legitimacy and justification of the actions of police officers”, — wrote Balaeva A. on her page in the social network[78].

April 25, Petropavlovsk, the Regional Court considered the appeal of activist Izmailov S. against the decision of the Administrative Court of 10 April 2024 on the fine of 184,600 tenge ($412) under Article 489, Part 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK. The court decided to leave the decision of the administrative court unchanged[79][80].

April 25, Bobrovka village, East Kazakhstan region, the court partially granted the appeal of Idyryshev S., who was charged under Article 489, Part 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK. The court recognized as illegal the protocol No.236340030005781 dated January 23, 2024, issued on imposing a fine in the amount of 172500 tenge, but decided to charge Idyryshev S. with a fine in the amount of 120750 tenge under the same article[81].

April 26, Ust-Kamenogorsk city, Nurkanov R., Article 488, Part 7 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK was arrested for 15 days. The case materials show that he was charged because he posted on his Facebook page a video of M. Ablyazov, who lives abroad, urging citizens to go to rallies.[82].

The court upheld the fine imposed on Alina Smakova, an activist of the group for the establishment of the opposition party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”, “for participation in the activities of an unregistered organization”. “The decision of the head of the police department of the city of Kostanay on April 10 to impose a fine of 184,600 tenge remains unchanged”. The court also decided to dismiss Smakova’s appeal[83][84].

April 27, Uralsk, “By banning journalists from working in the flood zone, the Department of Emergency Situations of the West Kazakhstan region has given an opportunity to test the anti-corruption service. This is a perfect opportunity to set a precedent for launching an investigation under Article 158, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK ‘Impeding the professional activities of journalists by a public official through abuse of office’” — said journalist Akhmedyarov[85].

April 28, Akmola region, Shortandy village, persecution before the announced peaceful protests on May 1. Illegal outdoor surveillance and attempt to arrest Dzhakhin A., head of the organizing committee of the unregistered party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”[86].

April 28, Akmola region, Shortandy village, Dzhakhin A., Article 667, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 15 days’ imprisonment for failure to obey a lawful order or request of a law enforcement officer[87].

April 29, Kyzylorda, police officers came to the social media activist Serikbayeva G. A report was made on violation under Article 456-2, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK “Spreading false information” in connection with a post that she published on Facebook on April 20, 2024[88].

April 29, Pavlodar region, the Aksu City Court found K. Yembergenov guilty under Article 488, Part 12 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, and sentenced him to 17 days’ imprisonment. According to the court records, on April 16 and 17, Kurmanov E. broadcast live on Facebook “and urged the population of the city of Aksu to gather in front of the city Akimat building on May 1, 2024”. E. Kurmanov reported that he was going to go on a hunger strike in protest against his unlawful detention[89].

29 April, Astana, Dzhakhin A., Musabaev M., Article 667, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 15 days’ detention. They were accused of “disobeying the lawful demands of police officers”. According to the case file, on April 24, in the public reception room of the Ministry of Justice, the defendants “did not obey the demands of the police officers to leave the reception room and stop the action”[90].

April 29, Astana, Niyazov A., journalist, author of the YouTube channel “Obozhayu” won a defamation case brought to court by the police on the complaint of the Ministry of Culture and Information. The judge decided to dismiss the case under Article 73-3, Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK for lack of corpus delicti[91].

April 29, Astana, the former Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan Turgumbayev E. was detained in the case of the January events of #Qantar 2022. Special prosecutors made this decision under the criminal case against Turgumbayev under Article 451 of the Criminal Code of the RK “abuse of office”[92].

April 30, East Kazakhstan region, Maraldy village: 6 residents were fined by the police. They were accused of violating Article 489 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK “Participation in the activities of an unregistered association”. Two residents were fined 92 thousand tenge each, and 4 others were fined 184 thousand tenge each. Activists who have been fined consider it an attempt to pressure them into silence[93].

April 30, Almaty, list of administrative detentions and fines before the announced nationwide rally on May 1, 2024[94].

April 30, Uralsk city, journalist Uporov R., Article 434, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK: the court sentenced him to a fine of 73,840 tenge “for using foul language against the Department of Emergency Situations”. The journalist posted a video in Instagram-stories, where he criticized the authorities’ ban on access to areas of flooding[95].

April 30, Almaty, monitoring of political persecution under Article 489, Part 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK “Participation in an unregistered public association”[96].

April 30, Astana, the General Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed the information about the detention for 2 months of the former Minister of Internal Affairs Turgumbayev E., under Article 362, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The details of the investigation are not disclosed because the criminal case contains state secrets[97].

April 30, Almaty, the story of an Uzbekistani man who survived torture during the events of #Qantar 2022. Currently, four law enforcers are in custody as suspects in the use of torture against citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan during the January events. The case files against them have been submitted to the prosecutor’s office. Seven people are recognized as victims[98].

April 30, Talgar city, Sabanshiev E.: Before the announced nationwide rally, police officers came to the activist’s home to check whether the activist had left for the rally. [99].

April 30, Almaty, monitoring of the political persecution in connection with the peaceful protests announced for May 1, 2024[100].

[1] https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/politsiya-podtverdila-arest-zhurnalista-daniyara-adilbekova-po-ugolovnomu-delu

[2] https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3777964042522851/

[3] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32887882.html

[4] https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3782685215384067/

[5] https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5Sy6_jgWku/

[6] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32892183.html

[7] https://adilsoz.kz/weekly-monitoring/narusheniya-svobody-slova-v-kazahstane-s-7-po-14-marta-2024-g-.html

[8] https://bureau.kz/novosti/novyj-vitok/

[9] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32891488.html

[10]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/pfbid0Fa5fLEH1gqBNeDzM7VKQff7voBX1aVTbJsiVGNZQiwDPV5nWgw2Zmgi7hMGZ5jnDl

[11] https://vlast.kz/novosti/59686-ugolovnuu-otvetstvennost-za-propagandu-lgbt-predlagaut-vvesti-deputaty-ot-pravasej-partii.html