POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN KAZAKHSTAN MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT — JANUARY 1-31, 2025

JAN. 1, 2025 — ASTANA — The Government of Kazakhstan has introduced enhanced regulatory oversight of mobile money transfers. The State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance has stated that a newly adopted order establishes a defined monetary threshold above which personal peer-to-peer transactions may be treated as indicative of income derived from entrepreneurial activity. ^[1]

JAN. 1, 2025 — ALMATY — The authorities of Kazakhstan have refused asylum applications submitted by Chechen opposition activist Mansur Movlaev and Russian social activist Yulia Yemelyanova, a former associate of the Alexei Navalny campaign. The State has cited a failure to satisfy «statutory criteria» for refugee status. ^[2]

JAN. 1, 2025 — ASTANA — The Republic of Kazakhstan has enacted a comprehensive new Tax Code, which serves as the primary legislative instrument for the administration of the state’s fiscal policy. This Code sets out the core principles of the tax regime and governs the powers of the state to introduce, amend, and repeal taxes and other compulsory payments to the public budget. It further regulates the assessment, calculation, and payment of such liabilities, as well as the legal nexus arising from the fulfilment of taxpayers’ obligations. ^[3]

JAN. 2, 2025 — ATYRAU Region — Reports from the Kyzylkoga district indicate the unexplained disappearance of all members of the Karabalin family. The four individuals, residents of Zhangeldin village, were last known to have been in contact with others in October 2025. Despite the extended period of absence of multiple persons from a single household, there is no evidence of a timely or proactive initial assessment discharged by local law enforcement agencies. A formal inquiry was only initiated once the case achieved significant public traction through viral social media escalation. ^[4]

JAN. 3, 2025 — ALMATY — The independent media outlet Respublika.kz.media has reported the loss of access to its Facebook platform, through which it reached approximately 41,000 subscribers, following the publication of an investigative article examining President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s New Year message. A visual and technical analysis questioned the authenticity of the broadcast, presenting forensic evidence suggesting the use of a high-fidelity AI-generated avatar in lieu of a live address, a claim the journalists assigned a high degree of probability based on facial-motion and biometric processing inconsistencies. ^[5]

JAN. 3, 2025 — ALMATY — Yevgeniy Zhovtis, director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, has argued that core human values appear to carry limited weight in contemporary global governance, stating: “The current understanding of democracy has significantly diverged from the traditional principle of majoritarian will. The premier institutions historically described as ‘international’, most notably the United Nations and the OSCE, function in practice as intergovernmental or elite-driven apparatuses. The foundational mandates of these organisations, underpinned at the time of their establishment, appear to be undergoing a substantial erosion of meaning.” ^[6]

JAN. 4, 2025 — AKMOLA Region — Marat Zhylanbayev reportedly commenced an indefinite hunger strike on 4 January, while serving a seven-year custodial sentence in Penitentiary Facility No. 4 in Stepnogorsk. This information was communicated by his legal representative, Denis Malyuga, who noted the absence of publicly available clarification regarding the reasons for Mr Zhylanbayev’s decision, raising concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the protest. The former world-renowned marathon runner was convicted under Articles 405, Part 2 (participation in a banned extremist organisation), and 258, Part 2 (financing of extremist activity) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. ^[7]

JAN. 4, 2025 — AKTAU — During the festive period, youth offending team officers identified approximately 20 minors found to be in breach of safeguarding protocols after being located without adult supervision during late-night hours. The actions were formalised under Article 442 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan and resulted in the issuance of fines totalling 12,975 tenges per incident. ^[8]

JAN. 5, 2025 — ALMATY — Meirkhan Abdumanapov has reported significant infringements on his fundamental rights, including what he described as an extra-judicial restriction on his freedom of movement amounting to de facto house arrest. Mr Abdumanapov asserts he was prevented from travelling to Almaty to visit a memorial dedicated to the victims of the January 2022 unrest. According to Mr Abdumanapov, he was forcibly confined to his residence without being served a judicial order or other formal decision authorising such restrictions. ^[9]

JAN. 5, 2025 — ALMATY — Legal counsel Murat Adam has reported the commencement of formal proceedings by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan to revoke his license to practise law. According to Mr Adam, the claim was reportedly initiated following a referral from the Ministry of Internal Affairs directly linked to his professional representation of Gulnara Bazhkenova, the former editor-in-chief of Orda.kz. ^[10]

JAN. 6, 2025 — ASTANA — As of early 2026, the Government of Kazakhstan has implemented a mandatory biometric user identification requirement for the acquisition of mobile telecommunications services (SIM cards). Since 3 January 2026, the procurement process has been integrated with a digital verification protocol. Upon purchase, subscribers receive automated notifications via SMS directing them to install the service provider’s proprietary application. Under the new regulatory framework, in order to activate the service, users are required to undergo biometric authentication, typically involving facial recognition technology, facilitated through the mobile application. ^[11]

JAN. 6, 2025 — ASTANA — The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan has initiated a pre-trial investigation into alleged “incitement of hatred.” This action reportedly follows a formal complaint (denunciation) submitted by Member of Parliament Aidos Sarym calling for the prosecution of individuals alleged to have expressed “approval or support” for actions affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) infrastructure. ^[12]

JAN. 6, 2025 — ASTANA — A coalition of diplomatic missions representing 20 nations, alongside the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, has issued a joint statement expressing grave concern regarding recently enacted legislative amendments. The legislation in question introduces a prohibition on what is termed the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” The signatories strongly disagree with the analogy between sexual orientation and paedophilia and contend that these amendments may contravene Kazakhstan’s international human rights commitments, specifically regarding the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination. ^[13]

JAN. 6, 2025 — ASTANA — Assel Dossayeva, a judge of the Interdistrict Civil Court, has been sanctioned for a significant breach of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Pursuant to Article 608, Part 8, Judge Dossayeva was found to have operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants. The court imposed a fine of 200 Monthly Calculation Indices, amounting to 786,400 tenges. ^[14]

JAN. 6, 2025 — ASTANA — The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan has issued a formal statement regarding the disbarment of legal practitioner Murat Adam. The revocation of Mr Adam’s license proceeded from a claim initiated following a formal complaint by the police alleging that Mr Adam disseminated “false information” via social media platforms concerning the pre-trial investigation into the criminal proceedings of his client, Gulnara Bazhkenova. ^[15].

JAN. 7, 2025 — TARAZ — It is reported that anthropogenic emissions, including industrial haze (smog) emanating from the Kazphosphate manufacturing facilities, are causing significant degradation to the local environment and posing a severe health risk to the local community. These emissions reportedly exceed acceptable air quality standards, contributing to persistent atmospheric pollution in the surrounding residential areas. Local residents have reported acute adverse health effects coinciding with high concentrations of visible pollution originating from the industrial zone. Documented symptoms include acute pharyngeal irritation (sore throat), persistent coughing, and conjunctival irritation (watered eyes). ^[16]

JAN. 7, 2025 — ALMATY — The human rights foundation Ar.Rukh.Khak has published a comprehensive situational summary of political persecution in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The findings provided are based on a systematic longitudinal study of open-source intelligence, including judicial records, verified media reports, and direct testimonies, and reflects developments documented up to 8 January 2026. ^[17]

JAN. 8, 2025 — KYZYLORDA — Activist Bagdat Bakhtybaev was subjected to detention by law enforcement authorities whilst attempting to leave his municipality. Subsequently, Mr Bakhtybaev was sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention under Article 613, Part 4 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the grounds of alleged non-compliance with a law enforcement officer’s directive to undergo a medical examination. ^[18]

JAN. 8, 2025 — AKTOBE — The Regional Administrative Court has dismissed a claim brought by activist Musagali Dauylov against the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. The claimant, who is registered visually impaired, sought a judicial determination that the Ministry had failed to discharge its statutory duty to adjust social security benefits in alignment with the actual inflation rate for 2025. The court ruled in favour of the Ministry and rejected the claim. ^[19]

JAN. 8, 2025 — SEMEY — The Appellate Panel has dismissed the appeal lodged by the Semey City Akimat against a first-instance judgment which had invalidated the executive authority’s refusal to permit a peaceful solo picket. The appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision in full, thereby affirming that the initial denial constituted an unlawful restriction on fundamental rights. In a significant censure of the local administration, the court issued a special ruling citing systematic non-compliance with the established legal framework governing peaceful assemblies. ^[20]

JAN. 8, 2025 — ALMATY — Law enforcement authorities in Kazakhstan are reported to have subjected family members of the victims of the January 2022 unrest to systemic harassment. These individuals, who were seeking posthumous exoneration or legal vindication for relatives killed by the unlawful use of lethal force, were intercepted en route to the capital. According to available accounts, among those subjected to arbitrary detention was Aigerim Niyazbekova, who was taken into custody by police officers. ^[21]

JAN. 8, 2025 — AKTAU — Residents of Kerbez residential complex, situated in the 20th microdistrict, engaged in a public protest by temporarily obstructing a thoroughfare. This action was prompted by ongoing utility service disruptions, including intermittent heating and electricity outages, alongside reported negligence in waste management protocols by the property management company. It is alleged that the managing agents are in material breach of contract, failing to uphold their duty of care regarding the maintenance of essential infrastructure and health and safety standards. Residents report having exhausted local administrative complaint procedures with no remedial action taken whatsoever. The unresolved disputes over continued deterioration of conditions suggests a potential failure of municipal oversight. ^[22]

JAN. 9, 2025 — ORAL — The West Kazakhstan Region Police Department has implemented an updated digital reporting mechanism via Quick Response (QR) codes displayed on patrol police vehicles and on law enforcement premises. This initiative purports to facilitate the real-time reporting of alleged corruption, abuse of authority, and other misconduct by law enforcement personnel. ^[23]

JAN. 9, 2025 — NORTH KAZAKHSTAN Region — The Gabit Musrepov District Court has found activist Nurbol Onerkhan guilty of violating Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, specifically pertaining to participation in the activities of an organisation designated by the state as illegal. The court imposed a sentence of one year of restricted liberty (probation), together with a three-year prohibition on engaging in public or civic activities. Mr Onerkhan was also ordered to make a compulsory payment of 39,320 tenges to the Victim Compensation Fund. ^[24]

JAN. 9, 2025 — ASTANA — Legal counsel Yulia Malyukova has reported that an investigator from the Astana Police Department sought to solicit a formal deposition from journalist Amir Kasenov regarding allegations of torture. Counsel cited substantiated concerns regarding the investigative impartiality of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, given the structural conflict of interest. To secure an independent and objective examination of the allegations, Mr Kasenov has been advised to file a formal complaint with the Prosecutor General’s Office. ^[25]

JAN. 9, 2025 — ALMATY — In an interview, human rights activist Bakhytzhan Toregozhina raised concerns regarding the January 2022 unrest and the subsequent international response. She questioned why these events have not been subject to more rigorous international scrutiny and called for the verification of the definitive casualty record. Ms Toregozhina further highlighted a systemic uniformity in the conduct of criminal proceedings, suggesting that the trials follow a standardised procedural template, or “script”, regardless of the specific circumstances of the defendants. This observation extends to cases involving protesters, including those killed, subjected to alleged torture, and those convicted. Consequently, Ms Toregozhina requested clarification on the material distinctions, if any, regarding the procedural conduct and judicial outcomes across these various categories of cases. ^[26]

JAN. 10, 2025 — WEST KAZAKHSTAN Region — Drawing upon data compiled in the 2025 annual report by the non-governmental organisation Zhariya, a total of 58 electoral contests were conducted within the region. These comprised 55 elections for rural akims (local executive heads) and three elections for maslikhat (local representative body) deputies. During this period, the judiciary processed ten applications challenging the determinations and conduct of various election commissions as well as procedural irregularities in the candidate registration process. In one instance, the court upheld the challenge, granting the requested relief. Five applications were dismissed. ^[27]

JAN. 10, 2025 — ORAL — A confrontation occurred between dacha residents, supported by civil activists, and the operators of a convoy of heavy goods vehicles. Protesters obstructed a thoroughfare in an effort to prevent the trucks from dumping snow collected from urban streets directly into the Chagan River water protection zone, in proximity to the municipal park of culture and recreation. Protesters alleged that such activity constituted a material breach of environmental protection regulations. ^[28]

JAN. 11, 2025 — ORAL — During the initial ten-day period of the current year, regional law enforcement authorities recorded 205 administrative offences allegedly perpetrated by minors. The police response to these incidents resulted in the apprehension of 130 minors and their subsequent conveyance to police facilities for formal processing. Furthermore, three individuals were transferred to Juvenile Adaptation Centres, and five households were placed under statutory preventive supervision by state social services. ^[29]

JAN. 11, 2025 — KARAGANDA Region — A family residing in the village of Nura has alleged a protracted failure by local authorities to fulfill statutory housing obligations. Despite the family holding the highest priority status on the official housing waiting list for several years, the responsible authorities have failed to allocate habitable accommodation. The family’s current dwelling, an adobe structure, is reported to be in a state of severe disrepair, posing a direct threat to the safety and health of the residents, including a minor with disabilities. Having purportedly exhausted local administrative remedies, Alexandra Yakovleva sought extraordinary redress via a direct appeal to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to resolve the matter. ^[30]

JAN. 12, 2025 — In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Constitution, the Republic of Kazakhstan enacted an amnesty resulting in the release of over 2,000 individuals from the national penal system. It is noted with concern that the scope of the amnesty did not extend to individuals identified as political prisoners. ^[31]

JAN. 12, 2025 — ALMATY — The judicial review initiated by the Ministry of Justice regarding the disbarment of lawyer Murat Adam has commenced amidst significant procedural controversy. Journalist Mikhail Kozachkov reported that members of the press and other observers were summarily excluded from the hearing. The presiding authority cited insufficient logistical capacity within the courtroom as the justification for this removal. ^[32]

JAN. 12, 2025 — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has issued a formal communication expressing grave concern regarding the ongoing judicial and administrative actions initiated against lawyer and HRD Murat Adam. The Special Rapporteur’s intervention focuses on disbarment proceedings which, allegedly appear to be retaliatory in nature. According to the international mandate holder, these proceedings may constitute a punitive measure designed to obstruct his legal practice and deter his human rights work. ^[33]

JAN. 12, 2025 — PAVLODAR — The Administrative Court has dismissed a claim brought by Yevgeny Khabarov against the Akim (Mayor) of Pavlodar. The claimant sought a declaration of unlawfulness regarding the authority’s refusal to grant permission for a public rally concerning the restoration of the previous time zone. ^[34]

JAN. 13, 2025 — ASTANA — The United Nations has expressed grave concern regarding the reported contraction of civic space in Kazakhstan and the targeted persecution of members of civil society, specifically journalists, human rights defenders and political activists. The UN has further highlighted continuing restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as reported instances of arbitrary detention. Additional concerns relate to the integrity and independence of the judiciary, including allegations of shortcomings in fair trial guarantees. The UN has also drawn attention to the State’s obligations in respect of environmental protection and compliance with applicable international human rights standards. ^[35]

JAN. 14, 2025 — ASTANA — The Astana Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal lodged by the Kazakh Bureau of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, thereby upholding the decision of the court of first instance. The appellate judgment confirms the lawfulness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ refusal to grant statutory accreditation to seven journalists affiliated with RFE/RL.^[36].

JAN. 14, 2025 — ASTANA — The judiciary has formally admitted a civil claim brought by Vitaly Shevchenko against Yedil Zhanbyrshin, a member of the Majilis (Lower House of Parliament). The claimant seeks declaratory relief to the effect that certain public statements attributed to the Deputy are offensive and constitute an actionable injury to his reputation and dignity. Accordingly, the litigation seeks a mandatory remedial relief requiring the Deputy to issue a public apology via the same digital platforms used to disseminate the impugned remarks. Following a preliminary hearing, the court has moved to schedule the substantive trial for 22 January 2026. ^[37]

JAN. 14, 2025 — GENEVA — The International Commission of Jurists, a pre-eminent authority in the interpretation and application of international human rights law, has formally expressed grave concern regarding the civil proceedings initiated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan seeking the punitive revocation of the practicing license of lawyer Murat Adam: “The basis and context of these proceedings raise serious concerns under international human rights law and standards relating to the independence of the legal profession”. ^[38]

JAN. 14, 2025 — ASTANA — Law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan continue to report the recovery of ordnance purportedly misappropriated during the period of civil unrest in January 2022. According to data provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, recent seizures have secured 31 rifled weapons and 225 smoothbore firearms, in addition to assorted specialist service equipment and materiel. ^[39]

JAN. 14, 2025 — AKTOBE Region — Aibat Zhetkergen, a resident of Alga, has been subjected to five days’ administrative detention pursuant to Article 667, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan for alleged disobedience to a law enforcement officer. This charge reportedly arose during a purported “outreach” visit by police, which followed a prior administrative allegation under Article 489, Part 10 concerning Mr Zhetkergen’s dissemination of content on TikTok regarding the activities of Nagyz Atajurt, an unregistered civic association. ^[40]

JAN. 15, 2025 — ASTANA — A group of bereaved parents convened at the House of Ministries in Astana for the purpose of submitting a collective petition to the Presidential Administration. The families demanded a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the deaths of their children, specifically Sana Merlan, Adel Akanova, and Aknar Gulstan, alongside the prosecution of those allegedly culpable. However, law enforcement officials intervened to pre-emptively obstruct the petitioners’ access to the premises and summarily detained the mothers of the of the aforementioned deceased children. ^[41]

JAN. 15, 2025 — ASTANA — Nurbol Kuralov, a journalist affiliated with Ulysmedia, was arbitrarily detained by law enforcement officials near the House of Ministries and held for over one hour at the Yesil District Police Department. Furthermore, police officers engaged in the forcible obstruction of journalistic activities by prohibiting filming and confiscating the journalist’s personal mobile device. Without legal warrant, officers accessed the media gallery, destroying all photographic and video evidence contained therein. Requests for the return of the device were denied. Prior to release, Mr Kuralov was subjected to coercive measures, forced to draft a statement against his will. ^[42]

JAN. 15, 2025 — AKTAU — Activist Adilet Sagyndykuly was summoned for questioning by law enforcement officials in relation to a case initiated under Article 274, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (alleged dissemination of wilfully false information). Initially summoned under the status of a «witness with the right to defence”, Mr Sagyndykuly’s procedural status was arbitrarily upgraded to suspect during the interrogation process. A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for 17 January 2026. ^[43]

JAN. 15, 2025 — AKTOBE — The regional court panel has formally denied the appeal of Musagali Dauylov, a visually impaired civil activist, thereby upholding the lower court’s ruling which deemed the Aktobe Mayor’s refusal to permit a peaceful picket as lawful. ^[44]

JAN. 15, 2025 — USA — Human Rights Watch has urged the authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan to cease the criminal and administrative prosecution of 19 activists associated with the Nagyz Atajurt movement. These legal proceedings were initiated following a demonstration involving the symbolic destruction of Chinese national flags and the portrait of President Xi Jinping. HRW maintains that these individuals are being subjected to arbitrary prosecution as a direct consequence of exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. ^[45]

JAN. 15, 2025 — The International Partnership for Human Rights and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law formally contend that the criminal proceedings initiated against nineteen activists associated with Nagyz Atajurt are fundamentally incompatible with international human rights benchmarks. Specifically, the prosecution constitutes a prima facie violation of the protections afforded to the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The aforementioned organisations urgently call for the immediate cessation of criminal prosecution and the unconditional release of all detained individuals to rectify this ongoing breach of the rule of law. ^[46]

JAN. 16, 2025 — ALMATY — The Bostandyk District Civil Court has ordered the revocation of the practising licence of defence counsel Mr Murat Adam, effectively disbarring him from the legal profession. The court found in favour of a claim brought by the Ministry of Justice, which asserted that Mr Adam committed “multiple violations of the law” in the course of representing Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, the editor-in-chief of the independent news outlet Orda.kz. ^[47]

JAN. 16, 2025 — TURKISTAN Region — Bagdat Toguspayev, an activist affiliated with the unregistered Atajurt movement, was summarily detained by law enforcement officials in the village of Koksayek. According to available information, police officers failed to produce a judicial warrant or provide any formal documentation justifying the deprivation of his liberty at the time of apprehension. The detention is observed to have been consequent to Mr Toguspayev’s dissemination of images depicting civil society actors urging the Trump administration to scrutinise the deteriorating human rights situation in Kazakhstan. ^[48]

JAN. 16, 2025 — AKTOBE — The Bostandyk District Civil Court has dismissed the administrative action brought by the state-owned enterprise, JSC “Social and Entrepreneurial Corporation Aktobe”, against journalist Akmaral Maikozova. The proceedings were initiated under Article 456-2, Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, alleging the “dissemination of knowingly false information.” The action was a direct reprisal for Ms Maikozova’s investigative reporting into matters of significant public interest, namely the fiscal transparency of the executive body with specific emphasis on the remuneration and bonus payments of its members for 2024. The court ultimately found the allegations to be without merit, determining that no administrative offence had been committed and dismissing the claim in its entirety. ^[49]

JAN. 16, 2025 — ASTANA — The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan has promulgated new regulations requiring the mandatory labelling of all content generated through artificial intelligence technologies. Effective 18 January 2026, the distribution of AI-generated materials without a state-approved explicit notification label will be subject to administrative penalties. ^[50]

JAN. 16, 2025 — ALMATY — During a formal press briefing, Nurali Aitelenov, a representative of the courier collective for the platform Wolt, raised serious concerns regarding the structural erosion of labor standards within Kazakhstan’s rapidly expanding digital economy. His testimony indicates a systemic lack of transparency in remuneration structures, including opaque algorithmic calculation of fees, and the widespread implementation of unilateral amendments to contractual terms by platform operators. According to Mr Aitelenov, the sector is increasingly defined by the proliferation of unregulated and precarious labor, facilitating a burgeoning “gray employment market” that bypasses statutory social protections and operates beyond the effective reach of social insurance frameworks. Particular concern was expressed regarding the profound absence of adequate state oversight and enforcement, as well as corporate accountability mechanisms. This regulatory deficit reportedly results in a high risk of labor and immigration rights infringements, which leaves couriers, many of whom may be economically vulnerable or migrant workers, without access to meaningful legal recourse or occupational security. Provided evidence suggests a critical divergence between the platform’s algorithmic management and the socio-economic realities faced by the workforce. Mr Aitelenov urges immediate intervention by the judiciary, the media, and human rights bodies to address the systemic disenfranchisement of workers and the broader social ramifications of a wholly deregulated digital labor market. He asserts that the platform delivery sector has departed significantly from universal labor standards, creating a pervasive environment of exploitation. ^[51]

JAN. 17, 2025 — AKTAU — The court sanctioned the remand in custody of activist Adilet Sagyndykuly for a period of two months. The detention was authorised under Article 274, Part 4, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The proceedings were characterised by severe procedural irregularities. Specifically, Mr Sagyndykuly’s legal counsel, Aigul Ayzharikova, was denied access to the hearing, effectively depriving the defendant of his statutory right to a legal defence. Furthermore, the prosecution unilaterally reclassified the charges without providing prior notification to the defence. The indictment was escalated from a Part 2 offence to the significantly more severe Part 4, Clause 2, which pertains to the “dissemination of knowingly false information during a state of emergency or public event.” Critically, the authorities failed to provide disclosure of the documentation required to substantiate this reclassification, thereby precluding the defence from conducting a necessary forensic examination. ^[52]

JAN. 17, 2025 — ASTANA — Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov asserted that administrative penalties imposed for infringements of environmental regulations are levied exclusively in the national currency (Tenge), pursuant to the Environmental Code and the Code of Administrative Offences. The Government’s position is that the indexation of penalties to foreign denominations, or the assessment of “damages” in foreign currency terms, would be inconsistent with the legal character and statutory framework governing administrative liability. The Executive maintains that such practices are unsupported by existing enforcement practice or judicial precedent. ^[53]

JAN. 19, 2025 — ASTANA — An administrative court has found activist Yara Tychina liable under Article 488, Part 6 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The conviction pertains to a peaceful single-person protest (“solitary picket”) conducted in opposition to proposed legislative measures seeking to prohibit the so-called “dissemination of LGBT propaganda”. The court imposed a punitive fine of 30 Monthly Calculation Indices, totalling 129,750 tenges. ^[54]

JAN. 19, 2025 — ALMATY — Following the proceedings for the summary disbarment of defence counsel Murat Adam, the Bostandyk District Court issued a Special Ancillary Ruling specifically targeting the legal team. In an unprecedented move, the court issued formal findings alleging “violations of professional and procedural standards” against individual members of the defence. ^[55]

JAN. 19, 2025 — ASTANA — A statutory inspection conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office across a number of penal institutions has identified a pervasive pattern of labour exploitation and procedural negligence regarding the employment of incarcerated persons. The findings reportedly reveal a grave breach of statutory working limits, with documented instances of inmates being compelled to perform labour for periods exceeding 12 hours per day. Furthermore, the inspection recorded recorded systemic delays in the disbursement of wages. Compounding the vulnerability of the inmate population, employment contracts were found to be legally defective, failing to provide a robust framework for the protection of prisoners’ rights. ^[56]

JAN. 19, 2025 — KYZYLORDA — In the period immediately preceding the National Kurultai (Assembly), scheduled for 20 January 2026 in Kyzylorda and attended by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, activist Gulnaz Serikbaeva was subjected to extrajudicial surveillance in public spaces. ^[57]

JAN. 19, 2025 — KYZYLORDA — In anticipation of the National Kurultai (Assembly), scheduled for 20 January 2026 in Kyzylorda and attended by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, another activist Ydyrys Bekmagambetov was subjected to unauthorised and intrusive surveillance in public spaces. ^[58]

JAN. 20, 2025 — ORAL — Activist Marua Yeskendirova has formally petitioned for international assistance to ascertain the location of her brother, Zhazylbek Azhgaliyev (DOB: 15 September 1978), a Kazakh national. Mr Azhgaliyev had been lawfully resident and professionally engaged as a Registered Nurse at the Three Sisters clinical facility in Moscow since December 2025. On 18 January 2026, Mr Azhgaliyev was reportedly summoned by the local State immigration authorities under the pretext of collecting finalised registration documentation. He attended the scheduled appointment on 19 January 2026, at which point all contact was severed. His current whereabouts remain unknown, and his mobile telecommunications have been rendered inaccessible. ^[59]

JAN. 20, 2025 — SEMEY — Civil society activist Nurzhan Sembayev was reportedly subjected to arbitrary deprivation of liberty by local law enforcement officers. According to available information, he was apprehended without warrant in a public space and forcibly conveyed to a police station purportedly for “questioning”. While detained, officers allegedly coerced Mr Sembayev to sign a written statement falsely asserting that he had removed a social media post concerning a planned rally on the basis that he “acknowledged culpability”. Mr Sembayev was released from custody only after steadfastly declining to comply with this coerced confession. ^[60]

JAN. 20, 2025 — ASTANA — The Court of Appeal has dismissed the challenge brought by SpetsTreidTM LLC against the investigative outlet SotReport.kz, thereby upholding the lower court’s original judgment. The claimant’s suit, which alleged defamation of business reputation and sought the mandatory removal of the impugned material, was found to be without legal merit. In its reasoning, the court accepted that the reporting in question met the criteria for responsible journalism in the public interest. The judiciary confirmed that the material was substantiated by verifiable primary sources, including statutory data from the national public procurement portal, judicial records and final court decisions, as well as official correspondence and formal responses from state authorities. ^[61]

JAN. 20, 2025 — ASTANA — The Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan adjudicated a cassation appeal regarding the quantum of judicial redress awarded to Yermek Abdyreshov. Mr Abdyreshov sustained catastrophic, life-altering injuries, including total and permanent ophthalmic loss, during the state’s suppression of the January 2022 protests. During the proceedings, representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Prosecutor General’s Office formally petitioned the court to dismiss the appeal. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ordered a strictly marginal adjustment to the award, setting the final quantum of compensation at a derisory 5 million tenges. ^[62]

JAN. 20, 2025 — ORAL — An employee of Uralvodproekt LLC initiated legal proceedings before Court No. 2, seeking a judicial declaration of discriminatory conduct, recovery of withheld wages, and reparations for enforced downtime during a period of suspension from work. The appellate court found in favour of the claimant, determining that the cessation of work was directly attributable to the employer’s fault. The appellate instance ordered the respondent to pay 212,500 tenges, representing a mere 50% of the claimant’s average earnings for the duration of the downtime. Furthermore, the court awarded a nominal 50,000 tenges in respect of non-pecuniary loss (moral damages). ^[63]

JAN. 20, 2025 — ASTANA — The Government of Kazakhstan has signalled a significant escalation in its control over the digital sphere through proposed legislative amendments targeting minors’ access to social media. During a cabinet meeting, the Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva, confirmed the development of amendments to existing laws governing online platforms and mass media, adding that following the internal review the proposals have been submitted for public consultation. ^[64]

JAN. 21, 2025 — ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has issued an executive decree establishing a “Commission on Constitutional Reform”. This body is ostensibly tasked with formulating proposals for amendments and additions to the State’s supreme legal instrument. The Commission is comprised of 129 appointed members. ^[65]

JAN. 21, 2025 — ASTANA — A “private ruling” issued by an Astana court against defence solicitor Saule Kopzhanova has prompted grave concern within legal community. The ruling seeks to invalidate legal representation agreements on the grounds that contracts were facilitated through third parties rather than the detainees themselves. Ms Kopzhanova maintains that the ruling is bad in law and fundamentally incompatible with extant legislation, as it is a requisite and lawful procedure within the domestic framework of Kazakhstan for third parties (often family members) to engage counsel on behalf of individuals held in pretrial detention, who are physically unable to execute contracts directly. Ms Kopzhanova contends that this ruling sets a perilous precedent for the Rule of Law, constituting a calculated attempt to obstruct access to justice. ^[66]

JAN. 22, 2025 — ALMATY Region — In the village of Tuzdybastau, Talgar District, police reportedly targeted civic activist Ulbosyn Okhanova to obstruct her participation as a public observer in the Atajurt judicial proceedings. Ms Okhanova has been subjected to extrajudicial surveillance and restraint at her private residence. Verified video footage captures police officer identified as Almas Tolendiev explicitly confirming that the containment was executed pursuant to “orders from superiors”. ^[67]

JAN. 22, 2025 — ORAL — Zhazylbek Azhgaliyev, a Kazakh national, has alleged that he was subjected to arbitrary detention, physical ill-treatment, and attempted forced conscription by Russian State security apparatuses. According to his account, on 19 January 2026 Mr Azhgaliyev was apprehended at a migration facility under administrative pretexts. He reports that he was subsequently held for approximately 72 hours without access to legal counsel, family members, or consular assistance. During this period, he alleges that Russian security officials reportedly utilised systematic physical violence, including the repeated application of conducted energy devices (stun guns). The stated objective of this torture was to compel Mr Azhgaliyev to execute a military service contract for deployment in the conflict in Ukraine. Following his continued refusal to comply with these unlawful demands, Mr Azhgaliyev was subjected to extraordinary rendition (deportation) to Almaty, Kazakhstan. A formal five-year prohibition on re-entry to the Russian Federation was concurrently imposed. ^[68]

JAN. 22, 2025 — ASTANA — Zauresh Battalova has issued a critical assessment of the current reform trajectory, stating: “Reforms that fail to broaden citizen participation risk consolidating executive authority. Upgrade cannot be reduced to administrative streamlining or nominal rebranding. Sustainable reform requires meaningful civic engagement, effective checks and balances, the establishment of robust institutional accountability and the enforcement of rules that operate independently of individual personalities. A resilient state depends on the strength of its institutions and the active participation of its citizens. Increasingly, public expectations centre on governance models that enhance these conditions — not in opposition to the state, but in support of its sustainable development.” ^[69]

JAN. 22, 2025 — ASTANA — A high-level conference entitled “Unbiased Representation of Religious Narratives in Contemporary Media” was convened to examine the role of media outlets in the coverage of religious issues and their potential impact on social cohesion. The event facilitated a structured dialogue among journalists, representatives of religious institutions, government agencies, and international bodies. The event was arranged by the Association of Religious Organisations of Kazakhstan in partnership with the British Embassy in Kazakhstan. ^[70]

JAN. 22, 2025 — Marie Struthers, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, has issued a formal condemnation of the ongoing judicial proceedings against members of the Nagyz Atajurt movement. Ms Struthers characterised the prosecution as a “reckless abuse of the criminal justice system,” asserting that the Kazakh authorities must realign their actions with peremptory international human rights standards. The core of the demand focuses on the withdrawal of indictments which lack evidentiary merit followed by the immediate and unconditional release of all detained activists. ^[71].

JAN. 23, 2025 — SHYMKENT — The authorities have initiated criminal proceedings under Article 99 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Murder). On 11 January 2026, Nurai Serikbay, a 21-year-old student, had been fatally stabbed in an act of targeted violence. A 28-year-old male suspect has been apprehended. Crucially, a concurrent indictment has been filed under the statute pertaining to “Forced Marriage”. ^[72]

JAN. 23, 2025 — TALDYKORGAN — A court has sanctioned the non-public adjudication of 19 activists associated with the Nagyz Atajurt movement. This move effectively insulates the judicial process from media monitoring and accountability. The defendants face prosecution under Article 174 of the Criminal Code («Incitement of Social, National, or Religious Discord”). The charges stem from a peaceful demonstration conducted on 13 November 2025 in the village of Kalzhat, Almaty Region, near the border with the People’s Republic of China. ^[73]

JAN. 23, 2025 — ASTANA — Data provided by the Ministry of Education indicates that as of 2026, there are 20,798 children classified as orphans or individuals deprived of parental care within the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is reported that 82% of this cohort currently reside within family environments (including kinship care and foster placements). By the conclusion of 2025, an estimated 3,000 children were successfully transitioned from state institutions into family-based care. ^[74]

JAN. 23, 2025 — ASTANA — Following a grave breach of public trust and legal standards, Judge Assel Dossayeva has been summarily dismissed from her judicial office. The dismissal follows a confirmed incident of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In a significant exercise of executive oversight, the Prosecutor General’s Office formally submitted a motion to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev seeking the removal of Judge Dossayeva’s judicial immunity to facilitate criminal accountability. ^[75]

JAN. 23, 2025 — The independent media outlet Respublika.kz.media and its Editor-in-Chief, Irina Petrushova, are currently being subjected to a coordinated malicious reporting campaign on the Meta platform. According to information provided, eight formal complaints were lodged against the outlet’s account within a 24-hour period. The pattern and timing of the complaints raise concerns that the reporting activity may have been designed to trigger automated de-platforming protocols, effectively silencing one of Kazakhstan’s most prominent independent voices. The account already suffers platform-imposed restrictions which render the standard appeals process inaccessible thereby limiting the outlet’s ability to challenge or contest the validity of the complaints. ^[76]

JAN. 23, 2025 — AKMOLA Region — Meirzhan Doskaraev, a licensed legal practitioner, was summarily denied access to his client, the political prisoner Marat Zhylanbaev, at Penitentiary Facility No. 4 in Stepnogorsk. Mr Zhylanbaev is currently serving a seven-year custodial sentence following a conviction under Articles 405, Part 2 and 258, Part 2 of the Criminal Code. Prison authorities predicated the obstruction from discharging Mr Doskaraev’s professional duties on the spurious claim that the inmate “had failed to submit a formal request” for the meeting with legal counsel. ^[77]

JAN. 23, 2025 — EAST KAZAKHSTAN Region — The extra-custodial death of conscript Kazybek Ospanov was reported while he was purportedly on guard duty. Though military authorities have quickly moved to classify the death as a self-inflicted fatality, the circumstances surrounding the incident strongly suggest procedural irregularities and potential state negligence. The family of the deceased, specifically his mother, has formally contested the official narrative of suicide. Compelling testimony indicates that from the very outset of his deployment, Mr Ospanov was under significant and continual financial pressure, repeatedly soliciting funds from his family. ^[78]

JAN. 24, 2025 — ASTANA — The Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan has announced a proposal, within the framework of the ongoing constitutional reform process, to formally codify an explicit constitutional provision affirming the separation of religion and state. According to the Court’s official communiqué, the purported objective of the proposed amendment is to mitigate the perceived risk of the politicisation of religious affairs. ^[79]

JAN. 24, 2025 — ASTANA — The Constitutional Reform Commission commenced its work on 24 January 2026. Chaired by Elvira Azimova, President of the Constitutional Court, the commission has been mandated to consider potential constitutional amendments, including the introduction of a vice-presidential office, the transition to a unicameral parliamentary structure, and the status of the presidentially convened “People’s Council”. ^[80]

JAN. 26, 2025 — ASTANA — The Constitutional Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan has advanced proposals to amend Article 32 of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of peaceful assembly. The pivotal amendments would broaden the circumstances in which limitations on the right to peaceful assembly may be imposed by law. Consideration is also being given to the introduction of further constitutional or legislative provisions that may affect the exercise of freedom of expression. Deputy Snezhanna Imasheva confirmed the trajectory of these reforms at a commission meeting, stating: “The constitutional provision governing citizens’ right to peaceful assembly is under clarification. The statutory grounds upon which the exercise of this right may be restricted by law are being expanded.” ^[81]

JAN. 26, 2025 — ALMATY — The Medeu District Criminal Court has commenced proceedings against civil society activist Aizhan Mameshova. She has been charged under Article 274 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“dissemination of knowingly false information”) in connection with disclosing information in the public interest alleging serious violations of the rights of residents in a state-run orphanage. ^[82]

JAN. 26, 2025 — KOSTANAY — A private carrier, sole trader “Bruner”, initiated civil proceedings against the municipal administration, challenging the lawfulness of a unilateral amendment to its public service contract. The amendment substantively reduced the number of buses authorised to operate under the agreement. The claimant sought declaratory relief that the variation was unlawful and requested restoration of the original contractual terms. The court dismissed the lawsuit, holding that the municipal authority was inherently entitled, under the governing contractual and regulatory framework, to alter operational schedules without the consent of the carrier. ^[83]

JAN. 26, 2025 — ASTANA — During the second session on the sweeping constitutional reforms, Majilis Deputy Snezhanna Imasheva has proposed codification of a statutory obligation requiring law enforcement authorities to inform individuals, at the point of arrest, of their constitutional and procedural rights. In presenting the initiative, the Deputy referred to comparable safeguards in the United States, notably the “Miranda warning”, which stipulates a formal duty to notify detainees of core protections, including the right to legal counsel and the privilege against self-incrimination. ^[84]

JAN. 26, 2025 — MANGYSTAU Region — Civil society activist Aset Abishev has been subjected to 15 days of imprisonment at a special detention centre in Zhanaozen. The sanction was imposed pursuant to Article 488 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which governs alleged violations of the statutory procedure for organising or participating in peaceful assemblies. The charges stem from from Mr Abishev’s reported participation in a peaceful rally in Stepnogorsk, characterised by the authorities as “unauthorised”, during a visit to Marat Zhylanbayev in May 2025. ^[85]

JAN. 26, 2025 — SEMEY — An administrative claim brought by a Chinese-owned enterprise against civic activist Rollan Mashpiev under Article 456-2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan was dismissed. The claimant had sought to challenge and invalidate information published by Mr Mashpiev on Facebook on 9 October 2025 concerning the the structural integrity and quality of asphalt concrete surfacing works. ^[86]

JAN. 26, 2025 — ÖSKEMEN — The regional judiciary in East Kazakhstan is facing severe allegations of institutional bias in favour of Kazzinc LLC. Testimony from local legal counsel, Rozita Bagadaeva, suggests a consistent pattern of judicial abdication, wherein constitutional protections and statutory codes are effectively suspended when the interests of this regional monopolist are challenged. Ms Bagadaeva reports a sequence of three consecutive judicial defeats that she asserts were decided irrespective of the legal merits of the cases. ^[87]

JAN. 27, 2025 — ALMATY — The Appellate Court has upheld the four-year custodial sentence imposed on influencer Mirbolat Bishuinov. Mr Bishuinov had been originally convicted on 13 November 2025 by the Medeu District Court No. 2 under Article 174 of the Criminal Code (Incitement of Discord) . The core of the prosecution’s case rested on his public commentary concerning the status of the state language, which the state successfully characterised as “inciting national hatred”. ^[88]

JAN. 27, 2025 — ASTANA — Zhanar Sekerbaeva, co-founder of the civil society initiative Feminità, reports experiencing an escalating campaign of intimidation from law enforcement officers in connection with a potential criminal investigation. According to available information, a known anti-LGBTQ+ agitator Ziuar Zhumanova filed a complaint, alleging that Ms Sekerbaeva committed an assault at a café in Astana on 22 November 2025. Authorities are reportedly considering pursuing charges under Article 109-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which addresses “battery or other violent acts.” ^[89]

JAN. 27, 2025 — ASTANA — The judiciary has formally reopened the administrative lawsuit filed by Radio Azattyq (the Kazakh service of RFE/RL) against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The litigation concerns the systematic and prolonged refusal of the state to grant or renew press accreditations for its staff. Radio Azattyq is seeking a Judicial Declaration that the Ministry’s failure to accredit its journalists is an ultra vires and unlawful act. ^[90]

JAN. 27, 2025 — ATYRAU Region — Regional law enforcement authorities have intensified strategic preventative measures to mitigate risks of domestic abuse and reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence through earlier state intervention and judicial oversight. Since the beginning of the year, the national emergency “102” dispatch channel has registered over 100 reports of domestic incidents, of which 79 have resulted in the issuance of protective orders. Furthermore, the judiciary has exercised its authority to impose special behavioural requirements on 20 individuals. ^[91]

JAN. 28, 2025 — ALMATY — The Ar.Rukh.Khak Public Foundation successfully convened a three-day capacity-building seminar for participants in its “New Human Rights Defenders in the Regions” programme. This initiative was delivered with financial support from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as part of His Majesty’s Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening civil society and the rule of law in Kazakhstan. ^[92]

JAN. 28, 2025 — BRUSSELS — According to the latest findings from the CIVICUS Monitor, prepared by International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law (KIBHR), the period from June 2025 to January 2026 was marked by a systemic escalation in state-led efforts to suppress peaceful opposition and curtail political pluralism. The report documents a pervasive trend of growing authoritarianism and decreasing civic freedoms. Independent media, journalists, influencers, and civic activists face an environment of increasing intimidation, harassment, and criminal prosecution for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Furthermore, the report warns that recently enacted legislation constitutes a significant statutory threat to the remaining civic space in Kazakhstan. ^[93]

JAN. 28, 2025 — ALMATY — The prosecutor’s office has formally withdrawn its application for the house arrest of Asset Matayev, Director of the KazTAG news agency. Mr Matayev remains subject to a Restrictive Travel Order in connection with ongoing investigations under Articles 274 (dissemination of knowingly false information) and 254 (mala fide performance of duties) of the Criminal Code. ^[94]

JAN. 28, 2025 — ASTANA — During the second session of the Constitutional Commission, Majilis Deputy Snezhanna Imasheva outlined proposed amendments that would significantly expand the statutory basis for state restrictions on Freedom of Expression and Peaceful Assembly. According to statements made at the meeting, the proposed constitutional text would incorporate additional clauses of an indeterminate nature, allowing for broad interpretative application by authorities. These limitations reference the “protection of the foundations of the constitutional order”, “ensuring national security”, and the safeguarding of the “spiritual and moral values of society”. Deputy Imasheva argued that the change is aimed at “strengthening legal certainty while balancing freedom of assembly with public and state interests”. ^[95]

JAN. 28, 2025 — KOSTANAY — The Regional Court has dismissed the appeal lodged by human rights activist Nikolai Ginyatov against a decision of the Auliekol District Court. Mr Ginyatov had been found liable for an offence under Article 73-3, Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (slander committed via public media or networks). The proceedings were initiated following a formal complaint submitted by the Deputy Akim of the region, Gulbaram Musagazina. The Regional Court effectively upheld the lower court’s ruling. ^[96]

JAN. 29, 2025 — KOKSHETAU — The Akmola Regional Court convened to hear a prosecutorial appeal concerning alleged procedural irregularities in criminal proceedings brought under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (torture). The underlying case concerns allegations of systemic ill-treatment involving 12 employees of the Atbasar correctional facility. It is alleged that one juror failed to declare a prior charge for unlawful possession of a firearm, while another juror is reported to have omitted disclosure of a spouse’s criminal record. ^[97]

JAN. 29, 2025 — ASTANA — The Judicial Collegium for Administrative Cases has dismissed a claim brought by Zhaslan Suleimenov, a person with a Category 1 disability, against the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Mr Suleimenov sought a judicial review to declare the Ministry’s failure to index social security benefits in line with 2025 inflation rates as unlawful, further petitioning the court to mandate the establishment of a formal, transparent adjustment mechanism in accordance with prevailing economic conditions. The court, however, upheld the Ministry’s position. ^[98]

JAN. 29, 2025 — TALDYKORGAN — Relatives of the 19 defendants in proceedings relating to the Atajurt movement have issued a formal expression of grievance regarding the court’s decision to conduct the trial in camera. According to information provided by family members, the hearings are being held behind closed doors, under conditions of a high-security environment and in extreme opacity. Critically, public defenders and accredited legal observers have been barred from the courtroom. Court officials have reportedly cited “identity verification” as a pretext for these delays. Family members permitted within the court building state they were subjected to heightened security screening and constant surveillance by armed special forces units. ^[99]

JAN. 29, 2025 — ASTANA — During the most recent session of the Constitutional Commission, the Chairman of the Republican Bar Association, Madi Myrzagarayev, proposed that consideration be given to drafting an entirely new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan rather than undertaking further amendments to the existing Basic Law. According to reports of the meeting, the motion received unanimous support from other commission members. ^[100]

JAN. 29, 2025 — ASTANA — The Kyiv-based non-governmental database Myrotvorets added Kazakh Majilis Deputy Aidos Sarym to its public registry for allegedly engaging in “crimes against the national security of Ukraine”. The Myrotvorets Centre publishes a running list, and sometimes personal information, of people “whose actions have signs of crimes against the national security of Ukraine, peace, human security, and the international law”. ^[101]

JAN. 29, 2025 — ASTANA — A comprehensive bilingual monitoring report documenting the sustained erosion of digital rights in Kazakhstan for the period August 2025 to January 2026 has been released. The findings include critical incidents from widespread failures in personal data security to coordinated cyber-aggression against digital resources and independent media outlets. ^[102]

JAN. 30, 2025 — ALMATY — Human rights lawyer Aiman Umarova has raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of the criminal proceedings against the KazTAG news agency. Ms Umarova alleges that the prosecution may be targeting journalists as a concession to the commercial interests of Timur Turlov, founder of Freedom Holding Corp. ^[103]

JAN. 30, 2025 — OSKEMEN — In response to hazardous levels of air pollution, local authorities mandated a transition to remote learning for all school students. City residents have been alerted to Level 2 adverse weather conditions for three consecutive days, prompted by significant exceedances of statutory air quality limits. Concentrations of carbon monoxide were recorded at 2.02 times the prescribed limit value, while hydrogen sulphide levels reached 1.63 times the established environmental objective. ^[104]

JAN. 31, 2025 — A broad coalition of Kazakhstani human rights defenders and legal experts has issued a formal appeal to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, urging a cessation of the current expedited constitutional drafting process. The signatories contend that the accelerated adoption of a new Basic Law violates the principle of inclusive governance and effectively disenfranchises the public from meaningful participation in the nation’s political future. The experts highlight a significant departure from the President’s original reformist roadmap. Previously, the executive had proposed a phased parliamentary reform with a minimum one-year consultative period, culminating in a referendum scheduled for 2027. ^[105]

JAN. 31, 2025 — ASTANA — Amir Kassenov, Editor-in-Chief of the independent news agency KazTAG, who is currently subject to a pre-trial custodial restraint in Astana, has been formally summoned for “investigative proceedings” to Almaty Police Department, approximately 1,200 km from his place of confinement. According to a statement published on Facebook by his wife, Aigul Kassenova, this mandate directly contradicts a restrictive residential boundary order imposed under the terms of his house arrest. ^[106]

JAN. 31, 2025 — ASTANA — Kazakhstan authorities have deported IT professional Alexander Kachkurkin to the Russian Federation. Reports indicate that the expedited removal appears to have been facilitated through alleged manufacture of administrative offences, including pedestrian traffic violations (“jaywalking») and breach of tobacco control legislation, specifically smoking a hookah in a restricted area. Upon arrival in Moscow, before disembarking from the aircraft Mr Kachkurkin was immediately detained on charges of high treason. The Meshchansky District Court subsequently ordered that Mr Kachkurkin be remanded in pre-trial custody. According to human rights organisations, the case against the Crimean native is believed to relate to financial contributions made to Ukrainian entities. ^[107]

JAN. 31, 2025 — ASTANA — The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan has formally rejected the asylum application of Mansur Movlaev, a prominent Chechen opposition figure, and has concurrently authorised his extradition to the Russian Federation. Legal counsel for Mr Movlaev asserts that his forced return would expose him to a high probability of state-sponsored persecution, torture, and extrajudicial killing. Counsel Murat Adam has confirmed that a legal challenge has been initiated to contest the denial of refugee status. The judiciary has scheduled a preliminary hearing for 11 February 2026. ^[108]

^[1] https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/kontrol-nad-mobilnymi-perevodami-uzhestochili-v-kazakhstane

^[2]https://www.facebook.com/murat.adam.1614/posts/pfbid0ms5atJgjxTkzf3DJY5jWFsK8y4fDDK6eUMVP2iRzWc89hLEYVWWVKW2UM3cWJEeml

^[3] https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/novyy-nalogovyy-kodeks-vstupil-v-silu-v-kazakhstane

^[4] https://www.instagram.com/p/DTAPhn0jLmX/?img_index=1&igsh=NmZjbXl1aGczc3c2

^[5] https://exclusive.kz/vlasti-udalili-facebook-stranicu-respublika-kz-media-posle-analiza-novogodnego-obrashhenija-tokaeva/

^[6] https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/evgeniy-zhovtis-demokratiya-uzhe-ne-rassmatrivaetsya-kak-vlast-bolshinstva

^[7] https://bureau.kz/kk/zhanalyqtar-kk/marat-zhylanbaevqa-ueshinshi-ret-qorghaushysyn-kirgizbedi/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPPl7FicmlkETFGZkREY3oxZ1prYXZGZ2JLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlV2YCRKc3zpunhIbR6rgbejdJ23BdVc5IMue7k8VFUQzn5H7BPq-5bBS8g9&brid=6ZFDaLbUkQlL1XNNUTVjFQ

^[8] https://www.instagram.com/p/DTHmPm7CHOw/?igsh=MXQ2OWw0Ym5ud3FmcA%3D%3D

^[9]https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02gL7MMScx3f7YFqehuZqC1RbmjnWHQGRu6FL9Yzg5EA71BeAAS8qymvHVuADd8sQMl&id=100018781397835

^[10]https://www.facebook.com/murat.adam.1614/posts/pfbid09xDxbnjxFdDkjxAjXMgX49jSB36EPtPsdc4pmaBKNS8mwQXTYVPmgbxSjLCumhYNl

^[11] https://kz.kursiv.media/2026-01-06/klsv-priobresti-i-polzovatsya-sim-kartami-teper-mozhno-posle-prohozhdeniya-biometrii/

^[12] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/genprokuratura-kazahstana-zavela-delo-posle-prosby-deputata-privlech-k-otvetstvennosti-grazhdan-odobryayuschih-ataki-na-ktk-/33641511.html