Political persecution of a civil activist Askar Kalassov and clumsy fabrication of a politically motivated criminal case

On 27 March 2021, the civil activist Askar KALASSOV was illegally sentenced to 2 months of house arrest for the duration of the investigation of a politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 2 (“participation in an extremist organisation”).

The ruling on the subsumption (legal argumentation of a crime) dated 27 March 2021, states:

1) On 25 December 2020, Askar KALASSOV published a post on Facebook stating that he had distributed campaign materials (leaflets) calling to vote for the Ak Zhol party in the 10 January 2021 parliamentary elections.

2) On 28 December 2020, Askar KALASSOV allegedly called for a violent seizure of power and participation in a rally (translated from Kazakh):

“Askar Kalassov is now with Marat BAIGULIN and 11 others:

28 Dec. 2020г.

We are all children of one Kazakh, let us unite under one flag to protect our land and homeland!

10 January 2021, THE NSC POLICE OF KAZAKHSTAN IS WITH THE PEOPLE.”

“Askar Kalassov is now with Asanali SUYUBAYEV and 8 others.

28 Dec. 2020г.

Thieves must be in jail!

I demand a complete change of power!!!”

3) On 30 December 2020, Askar KALASSOV allegedly called for a violent takeover of power and direct participation in a rally by reposting a publication by Mukhtar ABLYAZOV, calling for peaceful rallies on the day of the parliamentary elections on 10 January 2021 in various cities of Kazakhstan, prosecuting Nursultan NAZARBAYEV and appealing to citizens to be active.

A complete lie and fabrication of a criminal case. A call for participation in peaceful protests is not a call for a takeover by force.

The political analyst’s expertise of 12 March 2021 states that “the general direction of the materials provided is to inform the upcoming elections, to vote for the Ak Zhol party and to participate in the rally”, “there are no calls for actions of a violent nature in the materials” and “there are indications in the materials of participation in the activities of the DCK”.

Is informing about upcoming elections and campaigning for a certain party considered to be extremism?

The decision was signed by the head of the Investigative Division of the Aktobe region Police Department ABDULLIN E.A.

Approved by Assistant Prosecutor of Aktobe region TUREBEKOV Z.K.