MONITORING OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN from May 1 to May 31, 2024

May 1, Almaty, the photo exhibition “JAD” was opened, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the January events. The famous artist A. Akhmedyarova opened the exhibition with a live art performance: dressed in the uniform of an OMON enforcer, he was crawling, dragging the bones behind him.. The exhibition was organized by the human rights defender Toregozhina B. in cooperation with the artist[1].

May 1, 2024, Washington, D.C. (USA) The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2023 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, recommending that the U.S. Department of State place Kazakhstan, along with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, on the Special Watch List for restrictions on religious freedom. However, Kazakhstan has managed to avoid being placed on the watch list [2].

May 1, North Kazakhstan region, Birlik village, Nurbol Onerkhan, Article 677, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 15 days’ imprisonment for “disobeying the order of a police officer”. The activist was detained on April 30 as he was leaving his home[3].

May 1, Astana, journalist D. Okremova of the PF Legal Media Center has stated: “A new make-up on an old face can be called the new law on mass media, in which the word ‘state’ appears 156 times, ‘control’ – 43 times, while ‘security’ – 7 times and ‘guarantee’ – only 2 times”[4].

May 2, Shymkent, journalist Nizovkina M. found herself in court again. The application for deportation was submitted to the court by the Migration Department of the Shymkent Police Department. R. Ashetayev, a member of the local public council, was recognized as an interested party. At the trial, Nizovkina M. was presented as a citizen of Russia[5].

May 2, Atyrau Region, Kulsary, residents affected by the flood gathered in the central square of the town to demand compensation for the damage to their houses, which were submerged under water. The people, who gathered at eight o’clock in the evening, did not disperse until one o’clock in the morning. According to preliminary data, about 100 people gathered in the square[6].

May 2, 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 25 to May 2, 2024[7].

May 2, Shymkent, Ibragimov S., Article 256 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 7 years of imprisonment. The specialized court found him guilty of “propaganda of terrorism”. According to the version of the investigation and the prosecutor’s office, the defendant shared in the social network TikTok videos “propagandizing” the activities of the organization “Islamic State”[8].

On 2 May, Astana blogger Iskakov S. filed a complaint with the district prosecutor’s office against the actions of the security forces who detained him. On 1 May, Iskakov S., a former journalist with the state media, was detained and taken to the Baikonur district police station. He was detained and held at the police station for about 6 hours and then released without charge. The police had approached him twice before and checked the contents of his bag and documents[9].

May 3, Astana, more than a dozen Kazakh journalists address the President and security agencies with an appeal to release from custody their detained colleague Adilbekov D., and to provide a transparent investigation of his case[10].

On May 3, in Almaty, about a dozen relatives of citizens who died during the events of January 2022 gathered at the “Taghzym” memorial dedicated to the victims of the events of January 2022. The gathered people called for vindication of their dead relatives, who were posthumously accused and sentenced by the authorities, and for bringing to justice those responsible for their deaths. Those who arrived also expressed their support for the renaming of the streets named in honor of the ex-president of Kazakhstan [11].

May 3, Almaty, the list of administrative detentions and fines before the announced nationwide rally on May 1, 2024. The list is current as of 11-00 hours on 03.05.2024[12].

May 3, Paris, France, Kazakhstan has dropped eight places in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom ranking, taking 142nd place out of 180, according to the organization’s annual index. The country’s political indicator fell the most – by 7.6 points – of the five indicators that make up the country’s rating in the 2024 index[13].

May 3, Almaty, Statement of the Adil Soz Foundation: “We urge state bodies and private structures to respect the rights of journalists, to respect the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the right to freely receive and distribute information, and not to obstruct the work of the media”[14].

May 3, the World Press Freedom Day, the NGO PF Legal Media Center expresses its serious concern about the current situation in the media sector in Kazakhstan. We appeal to all interested parties to pay attention to the increasing cases of harassment of journalists, as well as to the draft law on mass media, which contains an extremely small number of progressive regulations[15].

May 4, Almaty, provided by “Kakharman.kz”, monitoring of political persecution in connection with the announced peaceful protests on May 1, 2024[16].

May 6, the authorities made a new attempt to deport Sami Ata Gul to his native Afghanistan.

Sami Ata Gul is trying to obtain Kazakh citizenship and has the status of “kandas” (compatriot).

Once again, he has managed to avoid deportation. The first time they tried to deport him in April, the man tore up his passport[17].

May 7, Almaty, representative offices of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) in Almaty and Zhetysu regions have refused to consider the complaints of human rights defender Toregozhina B. on the basis of the formulation “in the interests of other citizens without their written consent”[18].

May 7, Republic of Kazakhstan, Tajik migrants working in Kazakhstan have reported that local police are conducting inspections of citizens from Central Asian countries, resulting in their detention and subsequent deportation[19].

May 8, East Kazakhstan region, Kurshim district, Maraldy village, dozens of residents demanded a halt to the construction of a gold mining factory near their village. On Wednesday they came to the construction site of this factory. The local authorities sent Special Forces to the village and tightened the security of the territory adjacent to the construction site of the factory[20].

May 9, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from May 2 to May 9, 2024[21].

May 10, Almaty region, Iliysk district, Zhaugashty village, “Women’s colony” penal institution. The health condition of journalist Tleuzhanov A., Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 4 years of imprisonment, has deteriorated. Lawyer Aidarkhanov A. said that Aigerim’s blood pressure has increased, and the right side of her face is swollen and becomes numb[22].

May 10, Maraldy village, East Kazakhstan region, police searched the house of Karibayeva Zhanat and confiscated her mobile phone. Karibaeva Zh. believed that the search was a way to put pressure on her because of the protest of villagers who oppose the construction of a gold mining factory in the neighborhood of Maraldy village[23].

May 10, Almaty, Zhanbolat Shayzada, Article 434, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 5 days of arrest. On May 9, Zhanbolat Shayzada got into a conflict with people who had put a red Soviet flag on a car. The city court found him guilty of disorderly conduct. In the verdict of the court it is said that Shayzada Zh. “violated the public order”[24].

May 11, Shymkent, Bakytzhan Nakyp: police fined him 184,600 tenge (almost USD 420) under Article 489, Part 10 of the Criminal Code of the RK for participating in the activities of an unregistered association. Nakyp B. called on supporters of the Kazakh language to gather in front of the monument to Baidibek-biy on May 7, according to the police report. He posted his call on Qazaq’s TikTok channel. He allegedly made his call as a member of the unregistered organization “Til Maidany” (Language Front)[25].

May 12, Astana, Bekzadina E. was attacked by five police officers. They took her by force to the police station of the “Saryarka” district, where they detained her from 11:15 to 14:30. A report was filed under Article 667, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK (“Failure to comply with the demand of a police officer”) for the event of April 24, 2024, when she, together with her associates, was submitting documents to start registration of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan!”[26].

May 13, Astana, the Military Criminal Court began to consider the case of torture of convicts. 11 employees of Institution № 62 in Karaganda and Ulytau regions of the Correctional System Committee of the Ministry of Interior and National Guard of the Republic of Kazakhstan are tried.

They are accused according to Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan concerning the convicted persons of the Institution AK-159/25 in the city of Zhezkazgan[27].

May 13, Almaty, Maricheva D.; the court found her guilty of “placing, disseminating false information” under Article 456-2, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK and fined her 73840 tenge ($168). The court considered her post in support of colleagues from Azattyk as false information[28].

May 13, Almaty, activists of the organization “Feminita” marched through the central streets demanding a life sentence for ex-minister Bishimbayev K. The action was held after the announcement of the court’s decision on the high-profile case of the former minister[29].

May 13, Kokshetau , Aigul Aubakirova said that her brothers, 17 and 18 years old, one of whom has cancer, were attacked by officers of the elite special unit “Arlan” who were on duty[30].

May 14, Astana, Bekzadina E., Article 667, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK was fined 110 760 tenge (USD250) for “failure to comply with the demand of a police officer” on April 24, 2024, when she and her associates submitted documents to start registration of the party “Alga, Kazakhstan”[31].

May 14, Almaty police detained two women – Gulzada Serzhan and Aguliyeva Yasmin – out of six participants of the feminist-initiative protest against the sentence of Bishimbayev K. They were taken to the Almalinskiy district police station[32].

May 15, Atyrau region, Kulsary, residents affected by the flood gathered at the local House of Culture and waited there for some time. Then they went to the Akimat of the town. They said that they were not satisfied with the deputy Akim’s answer and demanded that the amount of compensation be delivered to them personally[33].

May 15, Mangistau region, several dozen employees of the oil company “Zhalgiztobemunai” went on an action. In their words, they had been illegally suspended from their work on the 15th of May. The workers demanded that they be returned to their workplaces so that they could continue to work without fear of persecution[34].

May 15, Astana, human rights activists tried for the third time to put Sami Ata Gul, an ethnic Kazakh from Afghanistan who had previously applied for citizenship in Kazakhstan, on a plane. Human rights activist Bakhyt Saray said that Sami Ata Gul was released from the temporary detention center of the Tselinograd district police station on her personal guarantee[35].

May 15, Almaty, Feminist Initiative activists Serzhan G. and Utebaeva G. were fined 184,600 tenge each under Article 488, Part 7 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. They were charged with “organizing an unauthorized assembly” during the protest after Bishimbayev’s sentencing[36].

May 15, East Kazakhstan region, eco-activist and blogger Karlygash Zhaksybay informs that the police made a report after her video on the construction of a gold extraction plant near the village of Maraldy. She was charged under Article 456-2 of the Criminal Code of the RK “spreading false information”[37].

May 15, Almaty, Zhanbolat Shaizada, who was detained for 5 days under article 434 of the Criminal Code of the RK after a conflict with people who put a red Soviet flag on a car, was released from the detention center of the police department. About 50 people met him[38].

May 15, Semey, police officers served a summons to activist Sembaev N. He believes that the detention was in connection with his plan to be photographed with a poster in support of the residents of the village of Maraldy, who are opposed to the construction of a gold mining operation near their village[39].

May 15, Atyrau region, Kulsary, the meeting of residents who suffered from floods continued near the Akimat. The villagers did not disperse all night and set up several tents. Some people spent the night in the Akimat building. The residents, whose houses were destroyed by floods, demand 400 thousand tenge for 1 square meter of the house[40].

May 16, West Kazakhstan region, activist Kabiyeva Menzada reported that she had been summoned by the police. The police came to her workplace and handed her a summons, warning her that if she did not report to the police, she would be taken by force. This is the second time in as many days that the police have visited the activist[41].

May 16, Astana, security forces detained the human rights defender Syzdykov A. following a search. He is charged with drug distribution under Article 297, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the basis of the fact that on 17 April this year he allegedly sold 3 grams of marijuana to a citizen Ivanov[42].

May 16, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from May 10 to May 16, 2024[43].

May 17, Atyrau region, Kulsary, an unknown person called and threatened Azattyk radio reporter Saparova A., who was reporting from the town of Kulsary, where flood victims have been protesting for several days, complaining about the amount and conditions of compensation for their lost homes[44].

May 17, Astana, Kazakhstan Human rights defenders are concerned about the fate of detained Russian contract soldier Kasimov K. There is no communication with Kasimov K. himself. It is unclear whether he has a lawyer and whether he is in custody. Human rights activists are concerned that he may be illegally returned to Russia and convicted[45].

May 17, Taldykorgan, Mukhamedkarim D., Articles 405, 258 of the Criminal Code of the RK: The criminal case for ill-treatment of a journalist under Article 35, Part 1, paragraph 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the RK was dropped due to lack of corpus delicti in the acts of the police officers[46].

May 17, East Kazakhstan region, a local resident has been publishing extremist religious materials in social networks. According to this fact, an administrative report was made under Article 453 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The court found the man guilty of committing the above offense and fined him 369200 tenge (100 monthly calculation indices)[47].

May 17, Taldykorgan, Duisenova S., the court awarded the journalist compensation of 100 thousand tenge for the fact that the police made a naked video of her. In the summer of 2023, she was arrested late at night and taken to the police station. She was charged with violating Article 147 of the Criminal Code of the RK (violation of privacy). The police detained the journalist, completely undressed her and videotaped her, explaining their actions as a “search”. The police said that they were authorized to do so by the court[48].

May 19, Astana, Almaty District Court ruled to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Kyrgyz musician Ruzakhunov V. against the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan for protection of honor, dignity and business reputation[49].

May 20, Astana, Kazakh law enforcement officials could be involved in fabricating a case against the Ukrainian family of Kovalev S., who fled the war, as well as his wife Nadezhda and daughter Anastasia, lawyer Sekerov A. said[50].

May 20, Astana, in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, people with visual disabilities gathered with demands to initiate criminal proceedings and complaints against the leadership of the Kazakh Association of the Blind. About 15 people with disabilities came to Astana from different regions[51].

May 20, Almaty, public activist Zharkyn Kurentayev, who founded the movement “Victims of Old Kazakhstan”, plans to hold rallies across the country for the complete replacement of the leadership of law enforcement bodies in all regions. He said this at the press conference. The activist also said that at the moment he is only planning to submit an application for holding these rallies on June 29 [52].

May 20, Atyrau, K. Bimyrzaev, Article 613, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK, was arrested for 15 days. He was also deprived of the right to drive a vehicle for 8 years. In the court decision it is stated that the guilt of the accused was proved, in particular, by the fact that there is a conclusion on his refusal to undergo an intoxication examination[53].

May 20, Atyrau region, Kulsary town, one of the residents among those standing in front of the Akimat felt sick. An ambulance was called. According to the demonstrators, the police who blocked the road did not let the ambulance pass for “more than 5 minutes”[54].

May 20, Astana, a delegation led by U.S. Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya participated in the annual United States-Kazakhstan High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms. The U.S. delegation urged the Kazakhstani authorities to advance reforms with the full participation of civil society partners[55].

May 20, Astana, city Akimat did not give permission to the activist Sochnev A. to hold a solitary picket on the square near the circus on June 8, 2024. Reason: holding of earlier planned events on the given dates[56].

May 21, Uralsk, several residents of summer cottages who had come out the night before to demand that they be given houses to replace those flooded during the floods were taken to the police. The action of the residents lasted more than 4 hours. They dispersed after one o’clock in the morning, having promised to come back to the Akimat[57].

May 21, Kokshetau, Akhmetkaliev Malik, Article 296, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 4.6 years of imprisonment in an institution of medium security. The court found him guilty of the criminal offense (illegal purchase and storage of drugs without intent to sell)[58].

May 21, Astana, Kazakhstan may take generations to resolve the human rights issue, said U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya[59].

May 21, Almaty, there was a press conference devoted to the sentencing of the participant of the January 2022 events, Arkabaev K., Article 272, Part 1/2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 5 years of imprisonment. Arkabaev’s lawyer reminded President Tokayev K. of his words about 20 thousand terrorists who attacked Almaty and assured the President that his client was certainly not among them[60].

May 21, Astana, People with visual disabilities from different regions of Kazakhstan continue their protest at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population. Representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office visited them. The participants of the action have written a petition to reopen the criminal case against the leader of the Kazakh Association of the Blind. Representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office promised to take measures[61].

May 21, Astana, journalist Adilbekov D., Article 419 of the Criminal Code of the RK: the investigative court considered the request to extend the journalist’s detention. Judge Akshabayev T. extended the detention until June 27[62].

May 22, Konaev, Almaty region, the case against Muhammedkarim D., Articles 258, 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK, who is currently in custody on charges of “financing extremism” and “participation” in a banned organization, was resumed. In February, the case was suspended pending an investigation into the journalist’s allegations of ill-treatment[63].

May 22, Almaty, a press conference was held in Almaty to oppose performing marriages according to Sharia.

The Koran does not support polygamy and violence against women, and the actions of the clergy do not reflect the values of the Koran and are contrary to national legislation. This is the opinion of the initiators of the petition against the widespread practice of Sharia marriages [64].

May 22, Atyrau region, Kulsary, residents affected by the floods and holding a protest in front of the building of Akimat dispersed. They left the square voluntarily. No violence was used, but there are people who do not agree with the results of the assessment[65].

May 22, Almaty, there was a press conference “On discriminatory approach in remuneration of Kazakhstani workers at a foreign enterprise”, which was held by a member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan “Amanat” Ushakov A. and the head of the subcontractors’ organization Musin G.[66].

May 22, Almaty, “Can the Supreme Court clearly explain why it closed the trial of Zhylanbaev M., in violation of your letter?”- asked human rights defender Toregozhina B.[67].

May 22, Astana, the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan held a session on the appeal of Ruzakhunov V. against the decisions of the courts of first and second instance. The Judicial Board decided to reject the request of Ruzakhunov V. to restore the missed deadline for filing an appeal for review of the decision and judgment of the Court of Appeal[68].

May 23, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from May 16 to May 23, 2024[69].

May 23, Astana, Suyubaev A., Article 297, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the RK, was detained for two months on suspicion of “illegal possession of drugs”. Supporters of activist A. Suyubaev call the criminal case “political persecution”[70].

May 23, Stepnogorsk, Institution No. 4, lawyer Doskaraev M., informed that he had visited Zhylanbaev M., Article 258, Part 2 and Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 7 years’ imprisonment. “His state of health is normal at the moment. His health has been restored, he walks, works as an artist, greets everyone, he is in good health and wishes everyone success, prosperity and good”, said Doskarayev M.[71]

May 23, Almaty, the Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” has prepared a legal review of the case of journalist Maricheva D., with the aim of improving legal practice in terms of application of Article 456-2 of the Criminal Code of the RK[72].

May 23, the workers of the company “Zhalgiztobemunai” in the region of Mangistau have been on strike for the 10th day. The protesters argue that management is violating their labor rights[73].

May 23, Konayev city, Klyshev K., Article 405, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 5 years’ imprisonment. A court was held to consider his application for parole. The court refused Klyshev K. in parole, despite the fact that he has received two commendations and a positive degree of behavior. There are 7 months and 7 days left until the end of his sentence[74].

May 23, Almaty, Zhuaspayeva A., a lawyer who has represented defendants in many high-profile cases may be disbarred. The Turksib District Court issued a private decision against the lawyer. According to the verdict, she leaked the materials of a closed trial. Lawyer Zhuaspayeva G. contests this decision and has filed an appeal with the City Court[75].

May 23, Atyrau, the court considered the complaint of journalist Vertinskaya O. about invalidation of the protocol on administrative offense under Article 73-1, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The appeal was rejected. In case of disagreement, the applicant has the right to contest this decision in the appellate court[76][77].

May 23, Pavlodar region, Bayet village, before the day of remembrance of the victims of repression, was detained Zhamaliev Zh. The police did not serve him with a summons. He was taken for medical examination to confirm the absence of traces of beatings on his body. The court found him guilty under Article 669, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK and imposed a penalty of 5 days of arrest (“Failure to execute the verdict of the court’) for his publications in social networks[78].

May 24, Ust-Kamenogorsk, the police tried to detain public figure T. Yeleusizov at the airport after his trip to the village of Maraldy, where local residents had gathered for a rally against the construction of a gold mine. Before his departure, the policemen wanted to familiarize him with the materials of the case, but the public figure refused, saying that he needed to have his lawyer present[79].

May 24, Astana, the petition on the recycling fee, which was published on the official portal E-Petition.kz, has collected the required number of signatures for consideration. In accordance with Article 90-4 of the Administrative Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, having reached the threshold of 50 thousand signatures, the petition was sent to the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the RK for consideration by the competent authority. According to Article 90-5 of the Administrative Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the term of consideration of the petition is up to 40 working days from the date of its registration[80].

May 24, Shymkent, Dzhaparova K., Article 174, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, who had been accused of incitement to ethnic hatred, has been released from custody in the courtroom. The court sentenced her to 2 years of restriction of freedom. However, it took into account her age (63 years) and her health condition[81].

On May 27, Kostanay, the regional court considered the appeal of activist Smakova A. against the decision of the court to fine her under Article 489, Part 10 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The court upheld the appeal without satisfaction[82].

May 27, Almaty, press conference on the prosecution of activists of “Alga, Kazakhstan!”. In Astana, Syzdykov A. and Suyubaev A. were detained. They are accused of distributing drugs. In Almaty, Zhamuratov A. has been under arrest for six months, accused of financing an extremist organization and participating in the activities of such an organization[83].

May 27, Almaty, human rights activist Toregozhina B. called for the dismissal of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Kazakhstan, Lastaev A. The reason was that in his response the Ombudsman rejected the request of human rights defenders to visit political prisoner Zhylanbaev M. in the colony[84].

May 27, Konaev, the activist Dostiyarov A. reported that the political prisoner Mukhamedkarim D. was in need of emergency assistance. The video with medical staff appeared on the activist’s page[85].

May 27, Almaty, press conference on the violation of the rights of Akhmetova A. (surname changed), a resident of Almaty, accused of involvement in the transportation of a large quantity of mephedrone. The girl’s mother, Kasymbekova M., and her lawyer, Azanov B., believe that only in a jury trial can the defendant expect an objective consideration of her case[86].

May 28, Karaganda, representative of the company “Qarmet” informed that the company supports the petition “for the development of domestic industry”. In his words, more than 100 thousand people, including employees of contracting organizations, will vote for it. He also called unreliable the information that the management of the company puts pressure on the employees[87].

May 28, Kyzylorda, the court decided to stop proceedings against activist Serikbaeva G., for lack of corpus delicti under Article 456-2, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK “placement, dissemination of false information” because of her post on social networking site [88].

May 28, Konayev, the father of journalist Muhammedkarim D., Articles 258, 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK, Tlepov A., filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office demanding that his son be hospitalized. On May 24 local medical specialists in Taldykorgan concluded that the journalist’s health had deteriorated. The supervisory body received the request and said that doctors would be sent to the journalist’s cell[89].

May 28, Almaty, former deputy head of the Almaty police department Abilbekov Berik was detained in connection with the case of torture. “As part of the criminal case under investigation, on May 28, in accordance with Article 128 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan detained the former deputy head of the Almaty police department”, reported the Prosecutor General’s Office[90].

May 28, Almaty, a group of people demanding the release of their relatives imprisoned in China once again tried to march to the Chinese consulate in Almaty, but their way was blocked by police. The demonstrators said they would leave after making their demands. No one from the Chinese consulate came out to meet the participants[91].

May 28, Almaty, activists of the movement “No to the recycling fee!” held a press conference dedicated to a positive fact: the petition for the abolition of the fee has gained 50 thousand signatures and should now be considered by the government. The activists “threatened” the officials with a petition to the WTO and a referendum[92].

May 28, Astana, T. Danebaev, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 3 years of imprisonment. The court decided to reject his request for parole. The court referred to the records of the colony, which indicated the presence of “disciplinary punishment for a fight with his cellmate” and “the first negative degree of behavior”. The institution considers that “no positive changes have occurred indicating the correction of the convicted person”[93].

May 29, the East Kazakhstan Regional Court dismissed the appeal of the activist Idyryshev S., who had requested to cancel the decision of the Glubokovsky district court of 25.04.2024 on the fine under Article 489, Part 10 of the Criminal Code of the RK on participation in an unregistered association[94].

May 29, Almaty, Zhamuratova S., the wife of political prisoner Zhamuratov A., made a public statement saying that after the criminal case against her husband was opened, the police opened a criminal case against her under Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK. She considers this an attempt to silence her[95].

May 29, Turkestan region, Ordabasinsk district, Muhammedov N. Court decision: To oblige Muhammedov N. to remove publications in social network and to charge him 100 000 tenge for moral damage. For the fact that on 10.12.23 on his personal Facebook page and in the chat room “Talap Aryz”, which he created on WhatsApp on 27.01.24 he posted a video where students present a gold jewelry to the plaintiff and wrote “receives a bribe in a particularly large size”[96].

May 30, Turkestan region, Ordabasinsk district, Muhammedov N.: a record was made for publications in social networks under Article 669, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK in connection with a 3-year restriction on participation in social and political activities under Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK[97].

May 30, Astana, As part of his high-level mission to Kazakhstan, EU Agriculture Commissioner J. Wojciechowski, together with EU Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas and the EU delegation, will pay tribute to the victims of totalitarian regimes in the Abay district of the Karaganda region at the Spassky Memorial Complex, where prisoners of war and internees from World War II and victims of political repression during the Soviet era are buried[98].

May 30, Almaty region, Talgar district, Zhanalyk village, a ceremony was held to rebury the remains of several dozen people who were buried in mass graves during the Stalinist repressions. During the Stalinist repressions, mass executions and burials of “enemies of the people” were carried out in the NKVD polygon in the village; according to some information, people who had been executed in the cellars of the Almaty NKVD were taken there[99].

May 30, Almaty, overview from the Adil Soz Foundation on the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from May 23 to May 30, 2024[100].

May 31, Almaty, Kazakhstan commemorates the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression and Famine. On this day, the victims of the atrocities of the Soviet regime of the twentieth century are remembered at the state level. And representatives of the opposition and human rights circles also commemorate the victims of Zhanaozen-2011 and Qantar-2022. They express their protest against today’s “targeted” political repressions and demand the release and rehabilitation of today’s political prisoners[101].

May 31, Almaty, civic activist Ilyashev A., stated: “Unfortunately, political repression in Kazakhstan continues. This is probably due to the growing politicization of the population, as people learn about their rights and try to achieve something, while the existing authoritarian regime tries to control them”[102].

May 31, Astana, Dzhakhin A., Article 488, Part 11 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 20 days of detention. The court found that Dzhakhin A., together with other activists, shouted “Alga, Kazakhstan! and “We are alive!” in front of the Ministry of Justice in Astana on March 14, 2024, thus violating the provisions of the legislation on peaceful assembly. The court also sentenced Bekzadina E. to a fine of 110 thousand tenge (about 250 USD) under Article 488 of the Criminal Code of the RK[103].

May 31, Aktobe, Kuanysh A. was recognized by court decision as a suspect under Article 256, p.2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, in propaganda of terrorism or public call to commit a terrorist act and was detained for 2 months[104].

[1] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32929363.html

[2] https://bureau.kz/goryachee/snova-proneslo/

[3] https://www.facebook.com/groups/2613737598955074/posts/3577551185907039/

[4]https://www.facebook.com/lmc.kz/posts/pfbid0cgSpPyxmnesV9cHQRLbHfuMgLFQLeXJQb7zmGEMadfeMuFGMyScdDqcQDbmVykiel?_rdc=1&_rdr

[5] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32930767.html

[6] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32931549.html

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

[8] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32935043.html

[9] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32930377.html

[10] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32932137.html

[11] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32931939.html

[12]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/pfbid0hMBEwAJyNuswGNQojW8FKg3ZUcaEBQjN14k4uAE8pHeEX8j6yeT2sGjume7TPSHrl?_rdc=1&_rdr