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

July 1, Nur-Sultan, “On March 14, I said that there have been eight deaths from torture. The General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that six of them died as a result of torture. The other two, died because of their state of health”, reported Azimova Elvira, Ombudsman[1].

July 1, Atyrau, in response to the statement about torture of Olesya Vertinskaya, the anti-corruption service has replied that she had no “evidence base” and that her case was dropped. First, they changed the article from torture to abuse of power, and currently the case is closed[2].

July 1, Semey city, in connection with January events #Qantar2022 3 persons were given a 4-year suspended prison sentence under Article 272 and Article 380 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Participation in mass riots” and “Use of violence against a representative of the authorities” by the decision of the city court, which took into account extenuating circumstances, reported the press service of the prosecutor’s office of the East Kazakhstan region[3].

July 1, Atyrau, there were dozens of people detained after a spontaneous rally in the city square. Most protesters were released after being questioned by the police, says the press service of the police department. Migrant workers from Karakalpakstan attended the rally in solidarity with the protesters in their homeland[4].

On July 1, Cholponbek Sydykov, a Kyrgyz citizen, one of the many people who were put to torture by the security forces during the January events in Kazakhstan, stated six months later that he was trying to get back to a full life. His rehabilitation is still going on. He was taken to Bishkek after the #Qantar2022 events with compound fractures of both legs[5].

July 2, Semey, Yeginbaeva Kerbez reported that her brother Zholatov Aziz, who had been charged under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan in connection with the January events #Qantar2022, had refused to incriminate himself and sign a plea deal under pressure of the NSC officers, despite having suffered the most brutal torture. n order to hide the facts of torture of 18-year-old activist Zholatov, the NSC officers put pressure on Kerbez and her mother[6]. Yeginbaeva Kerbez also reported that no investigative actions have been conducted for three months and there has been a direct threat that her brother Zholatov Aziz would become disabled because he was not provided with medical care after the torture[7].

uly 2, Almaty, «Someone did damage to my car, which was parked outside my house. They scratched it and also wrote some insults on the car door. I come to the conclusion that someone purposely took revenge on me. I associate this crime with my professional activities, with my posting a video of the wedding of the son of a high-ranking police officer”- reports journalist Mikhail Kozachkov»[8].

July 3, Nur-Sultan, journalist Abzhan Makhambet was detained by police red-handed as a result of a special racketeering operation after he received 50 million tenge and was taken to the Nur-Sultan Police Department detention center,” the press service of the Anti-corruption agency says[9].

July 3, Atyrau, Dzhalgasova Zhanylsyn, a suspect under article 274, Part 2, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was detained by police officers, who forced her out of the car as she was trying to leave the house with her daughter. The reason for the detention was not reported by the police officers[10].

July 4, Nur-Sultan, Abzhan Makhambet, Article 194, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “The investigation is being carried out by an unauthorized body. In accordance with the law, crimes under Article 194, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK, should not be investigated by the anti-corruption service, but by the internal affairs bodies”, — reports lawyer Azanov Bauyrzhan[11].

July 4, Almaty, the law enforcement authorities began summoning activists from Karakalpakstan who live in Kazakhstan for questioning regarding the recent protests. The head of the Department for Combating Terrorism and Extremism of the Interior Ministry of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Karakalpakstan Aipanov Parokhat and lieutenant colonel Babaniyazov Nikolay have questioned human rights activists Yuldasheva Toma, Mambetova Zivyar and Turemuratov Koshkarbay[12].

July 4, Ust-Kamenogorsk, facility ОВ-156/1, the preventive punishment for activists Timur Irzhanuly, Mukhit Tugelbaev, Aidyn Katpushev and Kenzhebek Sultanbekov, convicted under Articles 272 and 269 of the Criminal Code of the RK in connection with the events #Qantar2022 was changed to house arrest[13].

July 4, Almaty, Saltanat Tashimova lodged a complaint to the Interdistrict Administrative Court of the city against the illegal actions (inaction) of B.K. Rakhymbaev, a police inspector of the local police service of the Auezovsky District Police Department (OMPS UP), on drawing up a report under Article 73-1, Part 1 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK of May 8, 2022.

July 5, Aktobe, Shakhkozov Nuraly, Madi Zhumabek and Kosybaev Elkhat accused of “seizure of the airport” during the January events #Qantar2022 under Article 269, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, were sentenced by the court to three and a half years of restriction of liberty and 100 hours of compulsory labor annually. The defendants signed a plea deal with the prosecutor[14].

July 5, Almaty, there was a press conference about the January events. Civic activists, lawyers, participants of the January events and families of the victims of the events consider that the truth about the tragedy is still uncovered[15].

July 5, Nur-Sultan, “The investigator offered me to sign a statement of nondisclosure of data of the pre-trial investigation in the case against Abzhan. Makhambet said that he was totally against me having to sign such kind of documents. The investigator said that he would bring a video camera and I should say all this on camera, I suggested to show me the regulation, according to which I was obliged to sign this statement”, — the lawyer Azanov says[16].

July 5, Taldykorgan, Batyrbaev Azamat, who was arrested in January on suspicion of “participation in mass riots” and convicted under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the RK in connection with #Qantar2022, was sentenced to four and a half years of suspended imprisonment. He signed a plea deal[17].

July 6, Almaty, gathered at the monument of Abay, the participants of the rally “Crimes of Nazarbayev” of supporters of the unregistered Democratic Party of Kazakhstan were detained by police officers and SWAT and taken away to an undisclosed location. The participants were holding posters “Zhanaozen-2011, Qantar-2022”, “Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly”, “Aron Atabek”, “Dulat Agadil”, «Freedom to Zhanbolat Mamay”![18].

July 6, Almaty, Imanbay Inga, Article 488, Part 12 of the Administrative Offences Code, was fined 150,087 tenge for repeatedly organizing an unauthorized rally on the topic “Crimes of Nazarbayev” near the monument named after Abay[19].

July 6, Almaty, Berdibekov Kazybek, Mergembayev Sagidolla and Khamidulin Berik, Article 488, Part 6.11 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK were arrested for 15 days for participating in a rally on the topic “Crimes of Nazarbayev” near the monument named after Abay[20].

July 6, Almaty, «Nurbol Baiterekov, one of the activists, has been beaten up in a police van by riot police during his detention”, said Inga Imanbay, during a rally devoted to Nazarbayev’s crimes[21].

July 6, Almaty, Duysebayeva Aruzhan, Mukhametzhanova Anar, Bulanbaev Nurlan, Article 488, Part 6 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK were fined 91,890 tenge; Karzhaubaeva Sharbat, Lepesov Saylau were fined 64323 tenge; Mirmambetova Gulnar, Article 488, Part 11 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK were fined 153 150 tenge for participating in the rally “Crimes of Nazarbayev” near the monument named after Abay.

July 6, Taldykorgan, the city court convicted five people under Article 272, Part 2, Article 380, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of RK, to 4 years and 6 months of restriction of liberty. It was established during the trial that in January #Qantar2022 the defendants had been involved in mass disturbances which were accompanied by the use of violence and destruction[22].

July 6, monitoring of violations of freedom of speech in Kazakhstan from July 1 to July 6, 2022, provided by the Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech Adil Soz[23].

July 7, Kaskelen, Almaty region, Kadyrzhan Abiza, 17, who was under investigation after the January events#Qantar2022, and suspected of “theft of weapon” under Article 291 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, caused bodily injuries to himself. He was hospitalized with wounds in the neck and head[24].

July 7, the Coalition of NGOs of Kazakhstan Against Torture has become a member of the largest international network of coalitions and organizations fighting against torture in their countries and has joined the international SOS-Torture network under the auspices of the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)[25].

July 8, Almaty, facility LA-155/18, Mamay Zhanbolat, Article 274, Part 4, Article 272, Part 1, Article 378 of the Criminal Code of the RK, who was detained after the January events Qantar2022; the Specialized Administrative Court has extended the term of detention of the activist for another month until August 12, on the grounds that the case is complicated and the investigation has not been completed yet[26].

July 8, Nur-Sultan, Ombudsman Azimova reported that the medical service has been transferred from the penal system to civilian health care. “This reform is aimed at ensuring quality and equal access of citizens to medical services and providing preventive measures to combat misconduct, including torture or other forms of abusive treatment posing a threat to health in conditions of detention”, says Ombudsman Azimova Elvira[27].

July 9, Kyzylorda, facility ZK-169/1, Baimagambetov Muratbay, Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Restraint measure was changed to house arrest for the activist detained after the January events #Qantar2022[28].

July 10, Nur-Sultan, members of the group on the creation of the party “Alga Kazakhstan” Zhanbaeva Venera, Zhylanbaev Marat, Jahin Amangeldy, Zhusupova Nazgul, Nugmanov Mereke and Matayev Almas were detained during the distribution of propaganda leaflets “Alga Kazakhstan”. Police officers considered that their actions were illegal, and stated that they had violated Article 489 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan[29] and so they were each punished with an administrative fine of 150,087 tenge.

July 10, Nur-Sultan, a famous marathon runner Marat Zhylanbaev was detained for unknown causes. He was released a few hours later[30].

July 11, Nur-Sultan, Kazakh President K. Tokayev signed a law that toughens criminal liability of police chiefs for failure to act. Refusal or evasion of duty by a law enforcement or special state body officer in a state of emergency or mass disorder will now be punishable by three to ten years in prison[31].

July 11, Nur-Sultan, President of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev signed a law that toughens the liability of citizens for disobedience to law enforcement officers during the state of emergency or in the anti-terrorist operation zone. Citizens could face fines of up to 6m 380,000 tenge (2,000 MCI), correctional labor, and restriction of liberty or up to three years in prison[32].

July 11, Nur-Sultan, about 20 people from Almaty, Aktobe, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Taraz and Shymkent gathered outside the presidential administration building and demanded acquittal of their family members who died during the January events and a fair investigation of the January events#Qantar2022[33].

July 11, Almaty, Imanbekov Alibek, Article 291, Part 3 (4) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Almaty district court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment on charges of the theft of weapons during the January events #Qantar2022[34].

July 11, Nur-Sultan, police officers detained relatives of people who were shot without warning and victims of torture and political persecution following peaceful protests in January 2022. They were there to demand a fair investigation into those #Qantar2022 events[35].

July 12, Almaty region, Zarechniy village, facility LA-155/14, Kibirov Shukhrat, Article 174, Article 256, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Coalition against Torture created an appeal to the President of Kazakhstan asking to release Kibirov from the place of detention, where he had been illegally sentenced and was put under continuous pressure by the administration of the colony[36].

July 12, Begaidarova Sholpan demands a private audience with the President of Kazakhstan. On January 6, she left for a pharmacy to buy medicine for her children, and her car came under fire #Qantar2022 between Nazarbayev Avenue and Satpayev Street. Three bullets hit her in the area of her stomach, hip and back. “I really don’t understand the way this system works. They keep sending me from one agency to another. I am not able to work in a normal way now — I am constantly taking medicines and painkillers”, says Begaidarova[37].

July 12, Nur-Sultan, “177 cases of allegations of torture in connection with the January events #Qantar2022 are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Service, with another 171 cases of such allegations investigated completed”, says BektenovOlzhas, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency[38].

July 12, Kostanay city, in the Specialized Administrative Court of the city has started consideration of the case against the journalist of news agency “Tobol-Info” Sergazinova Aleksandra on accusation of violation of Article 73-3, Part 3 of the Administrative Offences Code – “Libel”. Umarov Amir, the head of the Department of Justice of the Kostanay region, has filed a statement against the journalist[39].

July 12, Bishkek, “The Department of Internal Affairs of the Leninsky district of the city, upon completion of the investigation into my case, introduced us to the materials of the criminal case. The experts have established that I suffered serious damage to my health during the January events #Qantar2022 in Almaty. The material gathered will be forwarded through the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic to the relevant authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan to identify and prosecute those responsible”, says jazz musician Ruzakhunov Vikram[40].

July 12, Kokshetau, the Supreme Court declined to consider the cassation appeal of Aigul Kalkamanova, a lawyer defending the rights of Baimuldin Nurzhan, journalist and editor-in-chief of Kokshetau-Asia news. Thereby, the last national court instance was passed. Baimuldin and his lawyer with the help of the Adil Soz Foundation now prepare documents for an appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee[41].

July 12, Bekizhan Mendygaziev is being persecuted in connection with the philanthropic and human rights activities of his brother Mendygaziev-Barlyk. The Coalition against Torture prepared an appeal to the President of Kazakhstan asking for the immediate release of Bekizhan, as he did not commit any criminal offense[42].

July 12, Almaty, “around 19.00 hours lawyer Ramazanova Leila, in the exercise of her legal profession, left for the Remizovka neighborhood, in the housing complex “Sakura”, for participation in the search, which should have been conducted in the house of the defendant. On her way to the house she observed people pursuing her in two cars”, — as reported by the Almaty City Bar Association[43].

July 13, Almaty, “There was an emergency meeting of the presidium of the Almaty City Bar Association (AGKA). The reason for the emergency meeting was an egregious case of violation of professional rights of Ramazanova Leyla. Accusations against the prosecutor’s office and the police were made during the meeting” — reports the City Bar Association[44].

On 13 July, Nur-Sultan, Sembay Askar, Mustafin Sarketpeki, Zhanibekov Orynbasar came to the relatives of the victims of the January events #Qantar2022, located outside the Government House. The activists have brought them hot food and water. But they were detained by the SWAT officers and taken to the Yesil District Police Department. There an administrative report was drawn up under Article 505 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The activists were released three hours later[45].

July 13, Shymkent, Kulbayev Yergali, Article 269, Part 2, Article 29,3 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of RK, was sentenced to 4 years of suspended imprisonment for participation in the January events #Qantar2022. The city court dismissed the appeal against the sentence, having found the arguments of the lawyer to be groundless[46].

July 13, Shymkent, Ashtaev Zhanmurat, Sultanbek Kairat, Dosmambetova Lyazzat, Article 269, Part 2, p.1,6; Article 272, Part 2; Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK. Al-Farabi District Court has started to consider the case against the activists who were charged with “mass riots” in connection with the January events #Qantar2022[47].

July 13, Nur-Sultan, Zhylanbaev Marat lodged a complaint in the administrative court of the capital against the illegal actions of employees of the Saryarka district police department regarding the detention and imposition of a fine for agitation for the party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”[48].

July 13, Nur-Sultan, police special forces blocked the way to the presidential residence for relatives of victims of the #Qantar2022 events in January. They demanded to be received, to have a fair hearing on the deaths of the people and to acquit the dead[49]. Family members of the victims from different cities of Kazakhstan spent the night protesting in front of Akorda. Among the protesters was a mother with a four-month-old baby on her hands. They demand a fair investigation and acquittal of the dead — many of whom were posthumously charged with involvement in the mass riots[50].

July 13, Atyrau, police officers of the city department No. 1 initiated a pre-trial investigation against the journalist Vertinskaya Olesya under Article 667 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. “I filed a complaint to the prosecutor’s office, and then the prosecutor’s office dropped the case. I think it’s all related to the torture I suffered in January and the coverage of the case of Medet Amangeldy, a soldier from Aktau, who serves in Atyrau”, — says Vertinskaya Olesya[51].

On July 14, Nur-Sultan, relatives of the people who were killed during the January #Qantar2022 events held a protest outside the residence of the President and were detained by the police. They demanded to meet with the President of the country, who they expect to justify the victims of the bloodshed. “They have taken us all away, and have brought us to the Saryarka police department”, said Shynhysbekov Bakytzhan, one of the protesters[52].

July 14, Nur-Sultan, the Adil Soz Foundation asked the lawyer Tolegen Shayikov pleading the case of Makhambet Abzhan on the accuracy of publications that Makhambet Abzhan allegedly pleaded guilty and gives testimony of his guilt. The lawyer, replied: “Abzhan does not plead guilty!”. The lawyer has reminded the prosecutor’s office of Article 274 of the Criminal Code of the RK “Dissemination of deliberately false information”[53].

July 14, Almaty, Mahanbetazhiyev Batyr, Chief Director for Strategic Management — Member of the Management Board of Kazakhtelecom JSC, who had earlier admitted having committed a corruption crime, threatens the periodicals “Vecherniy Almaty” and “Almaty Akshamy” with legal action and calls for a refutation of the publication[54].

July 14, Almaty, facility LA-155/18, Namazabayev Danat, Article 179, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The appeal hearing has started in the city court. “The victims do not have the power to make statements on behalf of the authorities, and the expertise is hackwork” — said Namazbayev during the hearing[55].

July 14, Almaty, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” has carried out a study of the situation concerning the right to freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information in Kazakhstan from July 7 to 14, 2022[56].

July 14, Almaty, facility LA-155/18, Kozhaev Azamat, Article 272, Part 2, Article 126, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the RK, is being prosecuted for the January events #Qantar2022. Not being able to endure torture and unlawful criminal prosecution, he wrote a suicide letter and tried to commit suicide[57].

July 15, Nur-Sultan, relatives of people who died during the January #Qantar2022 events, having been in the capital from 11 to 14 July and demanding that the circumstances of their family members’ deaths be fairly investigated and that the posthumous charges be dropped, left for their homes. The decision to return back to their towns was made after meetings with officials, the latter promised to provide them with answers to their questions within a week[58].

On July 15, the Public Association “Echo” stated that new amendments to the law on elections, which are currently being discussed in public, may deprive non-governmental organizations of the right to observe elections, as the document suggests denying registration of observers if public organizations receive funding from abroad[59].

July 15, Shymkent, Al-Farabi district court sentenced Ashtaev Zhanmurat to 3 years and 1 month in prison under Article 269, Part 2, 272, Ppart 2, 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK, Sultanbek Kairat — to 3 years 6 months in prison under Articles 269, 272, 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK, Dosmambetova Lyazzat — to 3 years and 7 months in prison under Article 269, Part 2, pp. 1, 6, Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK in connection with the January events #Qantar2022. The prosecutor Karataeva Kundyz has stated that the defendants “committed a crime against the independence and sovereignty” and that their guilt has been proven by the materials of the case[60]. Lyazzat Dosmambetova thus became the first and only woman convicted to a real term of imprisonment for the January events.

July 15, Shymkent, the prosecutor Kundyz Karataeva provided a recording of a conversation between Sultanbek and Dosmambetova and Ashtaev to be used as evidence against the activists during the debates. Sultanbek’s phone was bugged “in the course of a secret investigation”[61].

15 July, Nur-Sultan, Abzhan Makhambet, Article 194, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The city court was examining the complaint of the lawyer Azanov Bauyrzhan against the illegal arrest of the journalist Abzhan Makhambet. Judge Ungarsyrova dismissed the lawyer in his client’s release[62].

July 15, Semey, the city court № 2 has pronounced a sentence regarding the January events #Qantar2022: B.K. Kokanbekov, B.S. Salmenov, E.J. Sakenov and F.A. Seytov were sentenced under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK to 4 years of probation each. The case was considered in conciliation procedure (plea bargain)[63].

On July 15, in Almaty, the Economic Investigation Department detained legal adviser of the Chamber of Legal Advisers Zhanseitov Burkhan on suspicion of committing a criminal offense under Article 293, Part 3 of the Criminal Code, which allegedly occurred on the day when their employees tried to prevent the prosecution of the AGKA lawyer Leila Ramazanova[64].

July 15, Taldykorgan, coordinators and experts of the Coalition of NGOs of Kazakhstan against Torture organized meetings with victims of torture during the January events and their families. Medical care was again provided to many of them, all of them are complaining of headaches, heart problems, internal injuries, insomnia and nervous prostration. The victims of torture were practically left alone with their own problems[65].

July 15, Nur-Sultan, activist Syzdykov Aidar was detained near his home by police officers and taken to the Baikonur District Police Department. The cause of his detention is unclear, but later he was released [66].

July 17, Almaty, Zhanseitov Burkhan, Article 293, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the RK. “By a ruling of the examining court, the motion of the investigator of the Department of Economic Investigation of Almaty was denied to authorize a measure of restraint in the form of detention, with the choice of house arrest in respect of the suspect for a period of two months until September 17”[67].

July 18, Almaty, Namazbayev Danat, Article 179, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The city court upheld the verdict against the activist. The court also added two more months’ imprisonment to the term of another convicted person BoranbayevMargulan.

On July 18, in Atyrau, Almaz Berekenov died during the January events#Qantar2022 after being shot by a bullet from a police service weapon that hit him in the head. Nearly six months later his family found out that the case on the fact of his death was dropped “due to the absence of corpus delicti’. A few days later the police officers came to them and begged them for “forgiveness, for the sake of Allah” and not to appeal against the closure of the investigation [68].

July 18, Atyrau, Investigator Aidosynov Dauren, who has dismissed the case on the death of Berekenov Almaz said “The police officers weapons in order to protect their lives, it was deemed legitimate, since the citizens who had come to the akimat were throwing stones at the police officers regardless of several warnings from the police, and then the police used weapons”[69].

July 18, Almaty, “From July 12 to 15, 22 family members of the citizens who died during the #Qantar2022 have come to Nur-Sultan with the aim of obtaining justice in the investigation of the cases of those who were killed. These cases are either being closed or being investigated under Article 255 of the Criminal Code of the RK “Act of terrorism”. The prosecutors (prosecutors from Taraz, Almaty, Shymkent and Oskemen arrived for this purpose) promised to give answers about the investigation within 7 days and asked people to return home”, said human rights activist Toregozhina Bakhytzhan[70].

July 18, Nur-Sultan, 429 cases on the January events#Qantar2022 were sent to the court, 545 persons were sentenced. 53 cases of “mass riots” and 32 cases of “acts of terrorism” are pending. 83 persons were sentenced to deprivation of liberty, and 349 persons remain in custody. More than 30,000 investigations were conducted in eight regions and more than four thousand forensic examinations were appointed. More than two thousand weapons are still in the hands of criminals”, reported a representative of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Kilymzhanov Yeldos[71].

July 18, Shymkent, the Enbekshy District Court of the city has started to hear the criminal case against 4 police officers suspected of “exceeding authority” and “use of torture that caused the death of the victim”. They have been arrested after the death of 30-year-old Zhumabayev Nurbolat in the police department office[72].

July 19, Almaty, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan has expelled from the membership and revoked the mandate of the deputy of maslikhat Abylkasymova Akbope. It was due to the fact that she wrote in Facebook about unhealthy environment in the Almaty branch of the People’s Party of Kazakhstan. This became the cause for a meeting of the branch and the basis for the expulsion. The MP has filed a lawsuit against the party in the court of Zhetysu district[73].

July 19, Almaty, Nurmukhanov Samat, who has been detained after the January events #Qantar2022 and has remained in custody for 3 months, reports that his health is deteriorating. He has problems with his spine, his arms and legs are getting weak. He thinks this is a result of torture at the facility LA-155/18. Medics diagnosed him with a spinal disc herniation and spinal protrusion[74].

July 19, Atyrau, Vertinskaya Olesya, a correspondent of the portal “Dorozhnyi Kontrol” (Road Control) has been beaten up near her own house. When she came out of the house, an unidentified person came up to her, asking for help, and suddenly slapped her in the face; Olesya fell down from the blow and the attacker started kicking her. A CT scan detected a fracture of the nose with displacement[75].

July 19, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court acquitted Seitkazy Matayev, the Chairman of the Union of Journalists, and his son Aset Matayev. The court reversed the 2016 verdict of the capital’s court against the Matayevs, which had found them guilty of theft of funding allocated for placing state orders in the media and of tax evasion[76].

July 19, Nur-Sultan, Massimov Karim, former chairman of the National Security Committee, Article 175, Part 1; Article 179, Part 3; Article 21,8 Part 3, p. 3; Article 362, Part 4, p. 3; Article 366, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. His arrest term was extended until August, 6; the arrest terms of his deputies Sadykulov Anuar and Yergozhin Daulet were extended until August, 13. The former NSC chairman has been in custody for 6 months already [77].

July 19, Almaty, Talipov Saken, Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The court passed a sentence on a Kazakh from Uzbekistan who was charged with participating in “mass riots” during the January #Qantar2022 events. He received a one-year suspended prison sentence[78].

July 20, Karaganda region, Shet district, a strike began at the mine Akzhal of Nova Zinc LLP. People want higher pay and think that the current wages do not correspond to their work. They demand that the pay be increased by 50% and that the issue be settled by August 3. In case of refusal, the strikers are going to submit a notification that they will hold a peaceful protest[79].

July 20, Nur-Sultan, Abzhan Makhambet, Article 194, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said that he had not extorted money from the businessman Rashit Makhat. He said that the offer to pay for the removal of information from his Telegram-channel has been a provocation. And that the huge amount he mentioned was to “scare off” those who called him with the offer[80].

July 20, in cooperation with Monitoring Mission on Labor Rights in Central Asia, Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law a letter was created to the President of Kazakhstan with demands to stop persecution of Yelshibayev Erzhan and to release him from detention[81].

July 20, Almaty, facility LA-155/18, Kudaibergen Kairat, who is under arrest for the January events #Qantar2022, Article 272 Part 1/2 of the Criminal Code of RK was deprived of his deputy seat in the Almaty City Maslikhat[82].

July 20, Kostanay, Anuhanov-Amirbek and Ernazar Ramazan received a 4-year suspended sentence; Abulov Damir and Burdyuk Andrey received a 3-year suspended sentence under Article 272, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK for their involvement in the January protests #Qantar2022. All the defendants admitted their guilt and signed a plea bargain with the prosecutor, the press service of the Regional Court of Kostanay reports[83].

July 20, Akmola region, Stepnogorsk, Sadvakasova Aya, Article 274, Part 4, paragraph 2; Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the first court hearing of the human rights defender took place off-line. Restraint: the suspect is placed under house arrest[84].

July 20, Nur-Sultan, a resident of the capital, who was dissatisfied with the judicial decision, tried to commit self-arson by pouring gasoline on himself in front of the Supreme Court. The administrative court instituted proceedings under Article 434, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Disorderly conduct”, and arrested him for 5 days[85].

July 21, Almaty, the examining court of the city extended the term of detention of the deputy of the city Maslikhat Kudaibergen Kairat, Article 272, Part 1/2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, to four months in connection with the January #Qantar2022 events, the press service of the Almaty City Court reported[86].

July 21, Geneva, having exhausted all the possibilities to obtain justice in Kazakhstan, activist Mingali Gulsairan held a solitary picket in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva. The activist aimed to attract the attention of the international community to the facts of corruption and violations of the rights of blind people with disabilities in Kazakhstan[87].

July 21, Almaty, Yevgeniy Zhovtis, Director of the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human Rights, points out that if the perpetrators of torture cannot be identified among lower-ranking officers, their commanders should be held responsible[88].

On July 21, Akylbekova Roza, coordinator of the Coalition of NGOs of Kazakhstan Against Torture, says that hundreds of complaints of torture have been lodged, but only 15 police and special forces officers have been identified as suspects. She adds that security forces “bargain” with torture victims, coaxing them to drop their complaints in exchange for a promise that they will receive lesser sentences for “mass riots” or that their charges will be revised [89].

July 21, Almaty, the prosecutor’s office deprived Imanbai Inga of the status of defender of her husband Mamay Zhanbolat. Inga was dismissed from the case due to the fact that “she is a witness”. The document states that on the 4th of January she “was near the sports palace “Almaty Arena” together with Mamay and was involved in the rally”[90].

July 21, Almaty, the International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” has carried out a study of the situation concerning the right to freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information in Kazakhstan from July 14 to 21, 2022[91].

July 21, Nur-Sultan, the City Court panel dismissed the appeal of Sanavar Zakirova, who had earlier filed a lawsuit in court against the ombudsman Azimova Elvira. On April 11, 2022 five people forcefully attacked Zakirova and put her in a car and drove her away. Zakirova has submitted a petition to Azimova, requesting her to investigate this case. After she received no response, Zakirova filed a lawsuit in court on the grounds that the ombudsman “did not observe the Constitution”[92].

July 21, Nur-Sultan, “Around 11:00 p.m., some unidentified persons broke the kitchen window, they also tried to break my window, but they must have missed, or the cracks in the window are not visible at night and it is necessary to carefully inspect the windows during the day; there was a strong roar caused by a series of blows. We started shouting through the window and the attackers ran away. I do not believe in coincidences, because in May I was run over by a car, and it is connected with my human rights and journalistic activities”, said activist Suleimenov Zhasulan [93].

July 21, Nur-Sultan, Akisheva Aizhan, Matayev Almaz, Sembay Askar and Nugumanov Mereke were detained by police outside the “Tulpar” trading house when they were handing out leaflets of the unregistered party “Alga, Kazakhstan”. They were brought to the Baikonyr District Police Department, and two hours later they were all released[94].

July 21, Nur-Sultan, Akisheva Aizhan, Matayev Almaz were fined 153150 tenge (323 dollars) under Article 489, Part 10 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK for their involvement in activities of unregistered public associations “Alga, Kazakhstan!”[95].

July 22, Kostanay, Govorov Georgiy, a correspondent of the weekly newspaper Nasha Gazeta, attended a court hearing on charges of defamation brought against the journalist Alexandra Sergazinova from Tobol-Info. Judge TazhkenovSabyr demanded Govorov not to publish an article about the proceedings until it was finished. He said that all observers, including Govorov, should sign a nondisclosure agreement. Govorov refused, at which point Judge Tazhkenov ordered the secretary not to admit Govorov to the next session[96].

July 22, Almaty, following a gathering of supporters of the unregistered Democratic Party of Kazakhstan outside the city prosecutor’s office, Imanbay Inga got back the right to meet with her husband, Mamay Zhanbolat, until October of this year[97].

July 22, Karaganda, a jury verdict was announced in the case of the “contract killing” of activist Baktybaev Galy from the village of Atasu, who was killed more than three years ago by a gunshot to the head. The jury acquitted the accused of the murder, while finding two of the four defendants guilty of beating the activist, which occurred several months before Baktybaev’s death[98].

July 22, Atyrau, police detained a suspect in the beating of journalist Olesya Vertinskaya. The suspect is being investigated under Article 107, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (willful infliction of medium gravity harm to health), according to the Atyrau regional police department[99].

July 22, Almaty, “Appeal to the Chairman of the National Commission for Women’s Affairs Aida Balayeva asking to help single mother Dosmambetova Lyazzat from Shymkent who has 4 children and was imprisoned on trumped up case under Article 272, Part 2/3 of the Criminal Code of the RK for 3 years and 7 months on January events #Qantar2022”- addressed by human rights activist Bakhytzhan Toregozhina[100].

July 23, Taraz, “164 criminal investigations were launched on the #Qantar2022 events, including 11 cases under the article “Terrorism”. 130 of the 165 persons brought to criminal responsibility were taken into custody. Criminal cases against 68 people charged in connection with the January events were sent to court, 23 defendants received non-custodial sentences. The cases of 45 people are being reviewed by courts, 11 of the accused are minors. Fifteen people died” — reported in the akimat of the Zhambyl region[101].

July 23, West Kazakhstan region, the association of independent observers “Jaria” addressed the court, demanding to declare invalid all ballots from one polling station of the Chapaevskiy rural district, where the elections of akim had been held, as well as to recognize the elections themselves as invalid. Independent observers have inspected three out of four polling stations. At one of them they recorded a violation, based on which they filed a lawsuit in court[102].

July 23, West Kazakhstan oblast, “During the voting we have noticed that one of the women who came to the elections was given three ballot papers at once. But even when we reported the violation, the commission members did not take appropriate measures and law norms were not observed: two of the ballot papers were taken away, but we do not even know where the third one has gone» — said Satagulov Nurbulat, an observer from “Jaria” in the court[103].

July 23, Pavlodar region, Ekibastuz, Zhamaliyev Zhanat was detained and sentenced to a fine under Article 489 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK in the amount of 153150 tenge (323 dollars) for his involvement in the activities of the unregistered association of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan”[104].

July 24, Pavlodar region, Zhanat Zhamaliev was arrested for 2 days under Article 669, Part 1 of the Administrative Offences Code of the RK for distributing leaflets in the park “Shakhter” calling to join the unregistered party “Alga, Kazakhstan” in violation of a court sentence under Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK in terms of the ban on socio-political activity[105].

July 24, Almaty, police detained Supiyev Daniyar for holding a solitary picket near the monument “Tauelsizdiktany” against the amendments that would limit independent election observation. The activist was brought to the Bostandyk District Police Department. There they took an explanatory statement, gave him a summons for July 25 “for administrative procedures” and let him go[106].

July 24, Almaty, “These amendments significantly limit the right of observers, and now the organizations that may send independent observers are required to get accreditation. Should these amendments be adopted, we can say that there will be no independent observation at all. I demand that these amendments at least be sent for revision” — said Supiyev Daniyar[107].

July 24, Nur-Sultan, “I was kidnapped by people in plain clothes and questioned by the police. None of them identified themselves. They did not let me call a lawyer. I did not sign anything and did not answer any questions. The trial will be held tomorrow. Now I’m at home”, said activist Marat Zhylanbaev[108].

July 25, Almaty, Supiyev Daniyar, Article 488, Part 7 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of the RK, fine in the amount of 153 150 tenge for the picket on July 24 in front of the monument “Tauelsizdiktany”[109].

July 25, Nur-Sultan, human rights activist Suleimenov Zhasulan complained to the city prosecutor’s office about the actions of the police, which, in his words, refused to search for people who broke the windows of his house. He filed a complaint about the “inaction” of the police officers[110].

July 25, “After the tragic events of January, the Kazakhstani authorities have publicly refused to provide an international investigation and have stated that they would conduct an objective and full investigation independently. However, the further development of events showed that the investigation of the Kazakh law enforcement authorities was limited to shifting the blame on peaceful protesters and peaceful citizens who happened to be in the street during the protests» said the coalition of human rights movements “Activists-Non-Extremists”[111].

July 25, Pavlodar region, Ekibastuz city, Anafina Lyazzat, police officers came to the activist’s home because on July 23 she was handing out leaflets to attract supporters to the party “Alga, Kazakhstan”. The police officers gave her a summons to come to the police on July 25 at 8:00 p.m. on «a matter concerning her»[112].

July 25, Turkestan, a trial began in a specialized criminal court against the suspects in the case of “ordering the killing” of Batyrbekov Amangeldy, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Saryagash-Inform. [113].

On July 25, the public foundations “Yerkindikkanaty”, “Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan”, “Civic Expertise”, “Legal Policy Research Center (LPRC)” and the public association “Echo} applied to the Ministry of Justice, the Central Election Commission and the Majilis of the Parliament concerning the amendments to the law “On Elections”, which “destroy” independent observation of elections[114].

July 25, “Preventing foreign interference” is the way the authorities explain the amendments to the law on elections. The authorities are establishing the institution of accreditation and expanding the authority of the CEC. It will be the electoral commission which will decide who can be issued a permit and who can have it revoked. Experts are of the opinion that the introduced amendments will prevent the elections from being fair and transparent[115].

July 25, Shymkent, the city prosecutor’s office delivered a ruling to drop criminal cases related to the January events #Qantar2022 against 21 people under the Article “Mass Riots”, 58 defendants out of 69 were sentenced under the Article “Mass Riots”. The cases of another 9 people are under pre-trial investigation, the case of 1 suspect is in the prosecutor’s office. A further 27 people have been named as suspects and are awaiting the completion of investigative actions[116].

July 26, West Kazakhstan region, observers of the public association “Jaria” were seeking through the court for the recognition as invalid the results of voting in the election of an akim of the Chapayevskyi rural district of Akzhaik district on account of the three ballot papers that were given in one hand. The administrative court refused to satisfy the claim in full[117].

July 26, the #Qantar2022 suspects in the torture of Ruzakhunov Vikram cannot be identified in Kazakhstan. So far, officers of the police department of Almaty, Almaty region, the border service of the National Security Committee and medical workers have been interrogated in the case, but it is impossible to determine the circle of suspects, “there are no video records, no logs of visitors and delivered persons, all the officers involved were wearing masks, including medical masks”, reported in the Prosecutor General’s Office[118].

July 26, Nur-Sultan, activists Zhylanbaev Marat and Dzhahin Amangeldy submitted a petition to the administrative court with a request to provide data (number, name, surname) of the dead, minors, foreigners, including irrelevant data from the list of 638 people, which the Ministry of Justice submitted to the administrative court as a reason to reject the registration of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”[119].

July 26, Nur-Sultan, the specialist court partially settled the complaint of Zhylanbaev Marat against the actions of the police. Judge Akhmetkaliev stated that a special ruling would be made against the police officer, who “did not explain his rights, did not provide a copy of the report and did not ensure the right to defense”. But the fine imposed has not been cancelled[120].

July 27, Almaty, at a press conference, Bolat Abilov and Orazaly Yerzhanov, representatives of the foundation ElgeQaitaru (Return to the Country), which was established to “return illegally withdrawn funds from Kazakhstan”, demanded that the authorities give the names of 162 people, who, the president claims, own half of the country’s wealth, and that these people prove the legality of the funds and property that belong to them[121].

July 27, Almaty, ElgeQaitaru Foundation demands to conduct an investigation of ex-president Nazarbayev and quotes an investigation carried out by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in cooperation with the Vlast magazine and the Kyrgyz media Kloop, which states “Nazarbayev’s assets worth about $8 billion”[122].

27 July, Nur-Sultan, Zhylanbaev Marat, Akisheva Aizhan and Sembay Askar, members of the group on registration of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan”, say that they were subjected to pressure because of distributing propaganda leaflets. The authorities used to detain them, impose fines for their involvement in the activities of “unregistered public associations”[123].

On 27 July, the community of relatives of Kazakhstanis who died in January 2022 #Qantar2022 are going to hold a second action in the capital in front of Akorda, they demand that the deaths of their relatives be investigated. The activists said that dozens of people from different regions of the country, including mothers with many children and women with babies are going to attend the rally and they are asking Kazakhstanis to provide them with material support[124].

July 27, Uralsk, Okhasov Orynbay, Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, applied for replacement of the real term with restriction of liberty. “The administration of the colony considers it inexpedient to commute the punishment, since he has not been sufficiently examined” — stated in court the representative of the colony LesbekovYerasyl. Prosecutor Kurbanov requested the court to deny Okhasov because “there are no grounds to believe that the convicted person has taken the path of correction. The court rejected the motion and left Okhasov in the colony[125].

On July 28, in Almaty, a group of public figures and activists held a press conference to express their disagreement with the Ministry of Justice’s draft law amending the Election Law. The bill, introduced for public discussion on July 8, was criticized for the “amendments destroying independent observation”[126].

July 28, Almaty, “How necessary is it to obtain accreditation? Have there been any harm, any obstacles from the independent observers before today? Introduction of accreditation for observers means to shut the door on fair elections”- said the head of association “Independent Observers” Nazar Araylym at the press conference. [127].

28 July, Shymkent, the family of Onaltayev Baghdad, one of the 20 people killed during the January #Qantar2022 events in the city, has found out a few months after his death that he has been recognized by authorities as a suspect in “mass riots”. Karazhanov’s widow Kulash, who was left alone with six children, does not agree with the charges. She thinks that the state should help the family, which has lost its provider and has a hard time to make ends meet[128].

July 28, Almaty, Kokhaeva Ayman, Yusupov Niyazbek, Article 489, Part 10 of the Administrative Offences Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a fine of 31,150 tenge for participating in the activities of unregistered public associations, namely for handing out propaganda leaflets “Alga, Kazakhstan!” on July 24[129].

July 28, Almaty, the Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech Adil Soz surveyed the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from 21 to 28 July 2022[130].

July 28, Almaty, Zheksebayev Askhat, Begimbetov Noyan, Adilbekkyzy Dametken, serving prison sentences after receiving controversial sentences under “extremist” articles, demand the removal of restrictions on opening bank accounts. The Agency for Financial Monitoring suggests that they apply to the courts that handed down the sentences[131].

July 28, Almaty, Abishev Aset was summoned to the anti-corruption service to take part in a face-to-face confrontation. He met with four officers of the TDF of the City Police Department, who have been involved in his torture after his detention on January 4, #Qantar2022. Abishev identified all of them and gave testimony[132].

July 29, Nur-Sultan, “717 people were convicted on charges of participating “in mass riots”, “committing thefts and robberies”, “keeping and carrying weapons” during the January events #Qantar2022. 474 criminal cases were sent to courts”, the board of the Prosecutor General’s Office said at a meeting[133].

July 29, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan’s government signed a decree that grants the Ministry of Information and Development new authorities that, among other things, restrict the operation of messengers and social networks. In accordance with the law, foreign social networks, the access to which within a month has more than one hundred thousand users located in Kazakhstan, are invited to appoint a legal representative to interact with the authorized body in the area of mass media[134].

[1]https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31924591.html

[2]https://www.facebook.com/shutov2.0/posts/pfbid0JbDPs8x6uDupnr39kAHrdJ29gBPVjspSfkjaQd4fQRmtoL5pfmFSSSRB4fyKExaQl

[3]https://ratel.kz/kaz/v_semee_osudili_troih_uchastnikov_janvarskih_sobytiij

[4] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31926005.html

[5] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kyrgyzstan-cholponbek-sydykov-torture-bloody-january-in-almaty/31925665.html

[6]https://www.facebook.com/100014552677145/videos/565925381759511/

[7]https://www.facebook.com/100014552677145/videos/565925381759511/

[8]https://www.facebook.com/mikhail.kozachkov/posts/pfbid02Gg45EY3CJ6phgAvcxcjQUf1CWn8CdthPLbo3TTzSfFvQmyRqSGqT2bajFzzvMSd8l

[9] https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/kazakhstanskiy-zhurnalist-makhambet-abzhan-zaderzhan-po-delu-o-vymogatelstve

[10]https://www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3307011129618147/

[11] http://www.adilsoz.kz/news/show/id/3656

[12] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/31928289.html