EXPANSION OF THE LIST OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN KAZAKHSTAN
By a decision of the Expert Council dated 4 November 2026, the following individuals have been recognised as political prisoners:
- Yakov Vorontsov. A former clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2022, he publicly spoke out against Russia’s war in Ukraine and supported the establishment of an Orthodox community in Kazakhstan independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. In 2023, criminal proceedings were initiated against Vorontsov on charges of inciting discord in connection with his social media posts criticising the Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the war. In May 2025, the case was discontinued due to the absence of the elements of a criminal offence. On 13 February 2026, following a search, Vorontsov was detained and placed under administrative arrest for 10 days. Criminal proceedings were subsequently initiated against him on charges of illegal acquisition and possession of a psychotropic substance without intent to distribute. During his pre-trial detention, he was also placed in a psychiatric facility. On 7 October 2026, the Medeu District Court of Almaty sentenced Vorontsov to six years’ imprisonment. Following the application of an amnesty, his sentence was reduced to four years. The charge of organising a drug den had previously been dropped. Vorontsov pleaded not guilty. The defence argued that there was insufficient evidence to establish his involvement in the acquisition and possession of the substance found.
- Gulnaz Serikbayeva. A civil society activist from Kyzylorda and a member of the public association Ata Zhurt, which works to protect the rights of ethnic Kazakhs in China. On 28 May 2024, the court discontinued administrative proceedings against Serikbayeva, who had been accused of disseminating false information on social media, due to the absence of the elements of an administrative offence. In February 2026, Serikbayeva was sentenced to 10 days of administrative arrest in connection with a social media post expressing support for political prisoner Marat Zhylanbayev. In March 2026, criminal proceedings were initiated against her on charges of inciting discord in connection with her Facebook posts. The activist was placed in pre-trial detention. During her time in the detention facility, reports emerged of an attempted suicide. On 2 July 2026, a court in Kyzylorda sentenced Serikbayeva to three years’ imprisonment under Article 174, Part 1, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Serikbayeva denied the charges and maintains that she was exercising her constitutional right to freedom of expression and to criticise government policy.
- Nurzhan Sembayev. A civil society activist and artist from the city of Semey. In January 2022, Sembayev was present in a public square in Semey during the January 2022 events (Qantar-22). Criminal proceedings were initiated against him on charges of participating in mass riots and attacking buildings. In December 2022, the case was discontinued due to the absence of the elements of a criminal offence. In 2023, Sembayev sought compensation through the courts for his unlawful detention. The court ordered the state to pay him two million tenge in compensation. In May 2024, the activist was again detained and questioned in connection with a case related to the January 2022 events. On 3 February 2026, Sembayev was detained at his workplace. The new criminal prosecution is linked to his Facebook posts. He was charged under Article 405, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for “participation in the activities of a banned organisation” and under Article 258, Part 1, for “financing extremist activities”. On 22 July 2026, a court in Semey sentenced Nurzhan Sembayev to six years’ imprisonment and prohibited him from engaging in public and political activities for three years.
Expert Council:
Galim Ageleuov
Lukpan Akhmedyarov
Zauresh Battalova
Gulmira Birzhanova
Anara Ibrayeva
Yevgeniy Zhovtis
Yerlan Kaliev
Bakhytzhan Toregozhina
4 November 2026, Almaty
Обсуждение закрыто.