On 12 March 2021, Zhanibek Zhunusov was sent to the pre-trial detention facility for 2 months during the investigation in a politically motivated criminal case under 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.The ruling on the characterization of an act, dated 10 March 2021, states:

 

- Zhunusov Zhanibek "on his Facebook page frequently shared various publications by M. Ablyazov aimed at undermining the trust and respect of the people for the authorities".

- Zhanibek Zhunusov "not only shares M. Ablyazov's publications on his Facebook page, but also publishes a post supporting and confirming M. Ablyazov's words".

The politically motivated criminal case is based on the fact that Zhanibek Zhunusov reposted Mukhtar Ablyazov's posts:

- 3 September 2020: "DCK announces rally on 25 September".

- 15 October 2020: "On sanctions on Navalny and future sanctions against Nazarbayev. This is just the beginning. More recently, the EU imposed sanctions against Lykashenko's entourage".

- 11 December 2020: "Why should we vote for Akzhol? I held a series of broadcasts explaining why we should vote for Akzhol on 10 January, go to a mass rally".

- 25 December 2020: "On 10 January we will change the Nazarbayev regime. Whether we will bring down Nazarbayev and his gang depends on each of us. By acting clearly according to the instructions, we will achieve the result".

 

At the same time the expertise of 8 February 2021 wrote that the case file contains "incitement" to "participate in rallies" and "commit actions aimed at changing of the government". 

The decision was signed by Zhumakhmetov R.K., Investigator of the Investigation Division of the Astana City Police Department, and approved by the Prosecutor of the Criminal Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor's Office of Astana city, A.B. Zhumagulov.

 

Moreover, investigator Zhumakhmetov unlawfully denied the request of Zhanibek Zhunusov of 6 March 2021 to provide the decision of the Yesil court to ban "DCK" and "Koshe Partiyasy", claiming that the information had been published in the media and internet resources. In reality, the decisions have not been published and were adopted in secret courts.