On 22 February 2021, a politically motivated criminal court hearing under Article 405 Part 2 was held in the case of Askar Nurmaganov, a (former) political prisoner and participant of peaceful protests from Karaganda.

Askar Nurmaganov was illegally sentenced to 1.5 years of restriction of liberty and a 3-year ban on social and political activities (prohibition to participate in peaceful protests, conferences, give interviews to the media, publish on social networks, leave the place of residence without notifying the probation service).

Prosecutor: Zavatpayev Anuar.

Judge: Amirov Marat.

In its resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan of 11 February 2021, the European Parliament called on the Kazakhstani authorities to cease all politically motivated prosecutions and to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners.

The European Parliament has condemned the abuse of anti-extremism legislation by the Kazakhstani authorities to persecute supporters of the peaceful opposition movements “DCK” and “Koshe Partiyasy” and called on the Kazakhstani authorities to lift restrictions of liberty imposed on civil society activists.