Kazakhstan
Қазақстандағы саяси тұтқындар
166 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
Adilbekov, a journalist running a Telegram channel on corruption, was convicted for knowingly false denunciation and disseminating false information in connection with his publications. Adilbekov was known for raising issues of corruption before charges were brought against him. He was convicted on October 18 2024.
Saltanat Tashimova is an environmental activist and chairwoman of 'Let's Protect Almaty' who advocates for environmental rights and historical heritage. She has faced judicial harassment related to her human rights defense and environmental activism.
A resident of Kokshetau who was fined for participating in a peaceful protest against the visit of the Russian President. The protest was part of a demonstration during the CSTO summit.
Kanat Amrenov was arrested for 15 days in the month preceding the report. He is mentioned in the context of other activists being detained while attempting to visit him.
154 of 166 cases are not yet plotted on the map, typically because the public source did not record a precise location.
Figures reflect documented cases in this database · a lower bound, not an official total
