On 14 May 2021, Abaibek Sultanov, a human rights activist from the “Article 14” human rights movement, was sentenced to 1 year of restriction of liberty and a 3-year ban on social and political activities in a politically motivated criminal case under Article 405 Part 2 ("participation in activities of an extremist organisation"). He was also ordered to pay $68 to the "Crime Victims' Compensation Fund" and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
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Judge: Koshikbayev Madi Zhaubasaruly.
Prosecutor: Raiymbekov Dauren Bekmanbetovich.
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The indictment was based on the fact that on 24 May 2020 and on 7, 13 June 2020, he "deliberately posted on the social network "Facebook" a publication, a statement in support of the organisation "Koshe Partiyasy". The name of Abaibek Sultanov and the “Article 14” human rights movement is mentioned in the European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan dated 11 February 2021. Abaibek Sultanov is being prosecuted for participating in peaceful protests and human rights activities.
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In its resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan of 11 February 2021, the European Parliament calls upon the Kazakhstani authorities to stop all politically motivated prosecutions and release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.
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We call on the US, the EU, the UK and Canada to impose personal sanctions on: the head of the National Security Committee, Karim Massimov; the General Prosecutor, Gizat Nurdauletov; and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerlan Turgumbayev.
Koshe Partiyasy opposition movement*
