Kazakhstan
Қазақстандағы саяси тұтқындар
56 documented cases
Kazakhstan's political-prisoner population grew sharply after the January 2022 ('Qantar') unrest, when protests sparked by fuel-price increases were met with security-force violence and mass detentions. Activists, independent journalists, labor organizers, and members of unregistered opposition movements continue to face prosecution under broadly drawn extremism, terrorism, and 'inciting social discord' statutes.
Coverage of Kazakhstan in this database is currently aggregated from the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Coalition Against Torture in Kazakhstan, with English translation and standardized case classification by Political Prisoner Watch.
Primary sources: Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights
He was convicted for allegedly running over servicemen in Aktobe during protests. He claims he was reacting to his car being shelled and did not see where he was driving.
Amirov was prosecuted for a Facebook video where he used the word 'jihad' in a non-violent context. He is a victim of punitive psychiatry and has attempted suicide in detention. Reports indicate that they have been subjected to torture.
He was convicted on 19 December 2023 for social media publications criticizing the authorities and sharing information about DCK programmes.
A journalist from Astana who ran a Telegram news channel covering corruption. His charges are linked to his publications on the channel.
Arrested in relation to protests against the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. He is suspected of attempting to organize mass riots.
The brother of businessman Barlyk Mendygaziyev, he was sentenced to 5 years and 1 month of imprisonment. His term is calculated from 3 June 2021.
A private entrepreneur and member of the Alga Kazakhstan party accused of sending money to Mukhtar Ablyazov's foreign accounts. The trial was closed to the public due to a secret witness.
He was accused of using a lorry to kill a serviceman and is linked to the DCK movement. He was subjected to severe torture, including being beaten with truncheons and stun guns, to force a confession. Reports indicate that they have been subjected to torture.
A member of the 'Group of Seven', she has been repeatedly prosecuted for participation in peaceful protests, including a 15-day arrest in January 2022.
He was accused of cooperating with opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov following an interview. He has engaged in hunger strikes and self-harm to protest his unfair trial and rights violations.
A human rights activist and member of Alga Kazakhstan who was sentenced on charges of illegal possession of narcotics. He claims the criminal case was fabricated based on anonymous testimony.
Karibayev was prosecuted after uncovering corruption in an association linked to the daughter of former President Nazarbayev. He is 70 years old and visually impaired.
54 of 56 cases are not yet plotted on the map, typically because the public source did not record a precise location.