On 3 March 2021 it was reported that Aidar Syzdykov was arbitrarily detained and placed in the pre-trial detention facility for 2 months for the duration of investigation under politically motivated Article 405 Part 2 (“participation in an extremist organisation”). He was arbitrarily detained during peaceful protest on 28 February 2021, when he came out demanding the release of all political prisoners and the implementation of the recommendations of the European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation of 11 February 2021.
Photo: Aidar Syzdykov
The ruling on his recognition as a suspect dated 2 March 2021. The ruling is based on public statements of intention to participate in peaceful protests and on reposts of Mukhtar Ablyazov’s publications calling for participation in peaceful protests. The decision was drafted and signed by the investigator of the Investigation Division of the Police Department of Astana Praliyev A.S. The decision was approved by the prosecutor of the Department of Criminal Prosecution of Prosecutor's Office of Astana Zhumagulov A.B.
The decision is based on the fact that from 31 December 2019 to 22 February 2021, he published on Facebook and Telegram statements calling for support for the opposition movement "DCK", as well as "informing readers and listeners about the negative social, political and socioeconomic situation in the country, a negative characteristic of the activities of representatives of the authorities".
The ruling also states that Aidar Syzdykov called for rallies organised by "Mukhtar Ablyazov". In particular, Aidar Syzdykov wrote on 17 February about his intention to go to a rally on 22 February 2020 in Astana, on 12 June he reposted Mukhtar Ablyazov’s post calling to go to a Saturday rally and on 29 October he reposted Mukhtar Ablyazov’s post calling to go to a rally on 31 October 2020 in Almaty. In its resolution of 11 February 2021, 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 release all political prisoners and lift restrictions of liberty imposed on civil society activists.
