In connection with a peaceful protest held on 28 February 2021 Kazakhstani authorities initiated politically motivated criminal proceedings under Article 405 Part 2 ("participation in the activities of an extremist organisation") against at least 4 civil activists.
Before 28 February 2021, political criminal cases were opened against:
1) Sabitov Aibek (from Astana) – he was arbitrarily detained on 25 February, and on 27 February he placed under house arrest for 2 months for the duration of the investigation. Investigator's ruling on his recognition as a suspect dated 25 February 2021. Investigator of the Investigation Division of the Astana City Police Department Sadvakasov B. B.
The entire ruling is based on the fact that Aibek Sabitov called for peaceful protests through social networks (on 5 June 2020, 6 September 2020, 24 September 2020), published a post with the text "I want it like in Kyrgyzstan" (on 7 October 2020) and a post from 12 October 2020 with a picture of the leader of "Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan" opposition movement, Mukhtar Ablyazov, and the text: "Leader, opens the way for other leaders. Thank you, Mukhtar Kabulovich. And my government made me a criminal and an extremist".
The ruling was approved by prosecutor of Criminal Prosecution Department of Prosecutor's Office of Astana city Zhumagulov A.B.
2) Nogayev Berik (from Kandyagash, Aktobe region) – has been under house arrest since 26 February 2021. Sanctioned house arrest by Beisembayev Nuraly Kerimkulovich (Aktobe), investigative judge. Ruling on his recognition as a suspect dated 26 February 2021. Senior Investigator of the Investigation Department of the Police Department of Aktobe region, Lieutenant Colonel of Police Abdulin E.A. The ruling was approved by Assistant Prosecutor of Aktobe region Turebekov J.K.
The ruling is based on the fact that Berik Nogayev published materials on his Facebook page, "the content of which is aimed at forming a protest mood in society and demanding the immediate release, freedom of political prisoners":
• Reposted Dana Zhanay's post about preventive political persecutions in Pavlodar and Ekibastuz on 25 November 2020.
• On 19 December 2020, reposted Mukhtar Ablyazov's publication calling to vote for the Akzhol party on 10 January 2021 and to attend a rally.
On the day of the peaceful protest, 28 February 2021, civil activists from Astana, Zhanibek Zhunusov and Aidar Syzdykov, were arbitrarily detained. A politically motivated criminal case was initiated against both of them for alleged "participation in an extremist organisation" (Article 405 Part 2) for their participation in peaceful protests, demanding the release of political prisoners and implementation of the recommendations of the European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan of 11 February 2021.
