Country: Kazakhstan — Political Prisoner Database

Marat ZHYLANBAYEV

A world-renowned ultramarathoner and chairman of the unregistered Alga Kazakhstan party, he was accused of financing extremism for transferring money to an activist. He went on a hunger strike in protest of his unfair trial.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Zhanar Sekerbayeva

The text identifies Zhanar Sekerbayeva as a human rights defender and activist in Kazakhstan. However, the text does not explicitly state that she has been arrested or is currently a prisoner.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Zhanat KAZAKBAY

A pensioner arrested in relation to protests against the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. He is suspected of attempting to organize mass riots. He was convicted in the August 2025 Almaty trial of activists who opposed the nuclear power plant, released from custody on 4 September 2025, and is serving two years and one month of restriction of freedom.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Aron Atabek

Aron Atabek was a dissident poet arrested following the Shanyrak uprising in 2006 for assisting citizens during forced evictions. He was convicted of killing a police officer following a trial involving evidence allegedly extracted under torture.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Yerzhan TOREKULOV

The final member of the 'Group of Seven' to be sentenced, he was convicted for his alleged role in extremist activities and organizing mass riots.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Nurlan TEMIRGALIYEV

Arrested in relation to protests against the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. He is suspected of attempting to organize mass riots. He was convicted in the August 2025 Almaty trial of activists who opposed the nuclear power plant, released from custody on 4 September 2025, and is serving two years and one month of restriction of freedom.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Bekizhan MENDYGAZIYEV

The brother of philanthropist Barlyk Mendygaziyev, he was targeted as part of 'coercion-by-proxy' to pressure his brother. His imprisonment term is calculated from June 2021.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Zhaksylyk Abdullayev

Abdullayev was sentenced to 5 years for alleged participation in mass riots during the January 2022 protests. He denied the charges, and his relatives claimed he was slandered.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Nurlan Dalibayev

Dalibayev was convicted in connection with the 'seizure of Almaty airport' during the January protests, facing charges related to vehicle occupation, attacks on buildings, and participation in mass riots.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Natalia DAULETYAROVA

She was convicted in connection with the political prosecution of Barlyk Mendygaziyev's family and employees. Initially sentenced to restriction of liberty, her punishment was changed to imprisonment on appeal.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Gulzada Serzhan

Gulzada Serzhan is a human rights defender and LGBTQI+ activist from Kazakhstan who co-founded the Feminist Initiative 'Feminita'. She has been subjected to verbal abuse and physical attacks due to her activism.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Amangeldy URAZBAEV

Amangeldy Orazbaev (Urazbaev), 63, from Uralsk, was sentenced in February 2023 under Article 405(2) to 1.5 years of restriction of freedom and a two-year ban on public activity for distributing leaflets allegedly describing the programme of a banned organisation. On 11 October 2023 the Uralsk criminal court granted the probation service's motion and replaced the remainder with three months and fifteen days in a medium-security facility, citing an alleged Facebook repost of an opposition video and a petty hooliganism fine. He denies both violations.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 18, 2026

Nurakhan Makhatov

Makhatov, 64, was sentenced to 6 years for organizing mass riots in Taraz during the protests, despite his claim of trying to calm the youth. He pleaded not guilty, and a looter testified against him.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Yerulan Amirov

Amirov was sentenced to 7 years for a Facebook video where he used the word 'jihad' in a non-violent context. He claims a previous attempt to fabricate a case against him for supporting Koshe Partiyasy. He has been subjected to punitive psychiatry and attempted suicide in detention. Reports indicate that they have been subjected to torture.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Nursultan Isayev

Isayev was sentenced to 15 years for allegedly running over servicemen in Aktobe during protests, causing slight injuries. He claimed his car was shelled, causing him to lose control. He was convicted on February 1, 2023.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Kalas Nurpeisov

Nurpeisov was convicted in the 'seizure of Almaty airport' case, accused of organizing mass riots and attempting to seize the Kazaeronavigatsiya office to prevent CSTO troop arrival. He was labeled a 'bandit and terrorist' by the president.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Rinat Batkayev

Batkayev was initially given a restriction of liberty but his sentence was changed to 5 years imprisonment on appeal for participation in an organized criminal group and issuing invoices without actual work. He was convicted on July 26, 2021.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Convicted

KZ-CMRP

UNKNOWN

Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan

Protest

Kazybek Kudaibergenov

Kudaibergenov was sentenced to 17 years for allegedly seizing a 'KamAZ' lorry and directing it at servicemen, killing one. He was shot during protests, detained, and subjected to severe torture, forcing a false confession. His family has faced pressure regarding his appeal. Reports indicate that they have been subjected to torture.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Mansur Movlaev

Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev, who fled Chechnya, has been held in extradition custody in an Almaty pretrial detention center since May 2025. Russian authorities placed him on the wanted list on extortion charges, which Movlaev and human rights activists call trumped-up. In September, Kazakhstan's Cassation Court definitively rejected his asylum request, creating a direct threat of his forced return to Russia. Fearing torture and reprisals at the hands of Kadyrov's men, the activist attempted suicide in his detention cell. In his suicide note, he stated that he was tired of the injustice and had lived in constant fear for 16 months. He asked for forgiveness from his family and diplomats, called for his body to be buried in Kazakhstan, and asked for the Russian activist Yulia Yemelyanova, a former volunteer for Navalny's campaign, who is being held in the same pretrial detention center, to be spared from similar extradition.

HEALTH CONCERNS

LAST UPDATED · OCT 10, 2026

Aibol Sagintay

Sagintay was sentenced to 5 years for participation in mass riots in Taraz. He admits attending protests but denies breaking the law, claiming he urged calm. He refused an offer of release in exchange for incriminating others.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Yermuhamet Shilibaev

Shilibayev was sentenced to 8 years in prison for attacks on buildings and participation in mass riots in the 'seizure of Almaty airport' case during the January protests. He pleaded not guilty.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Bagdagul Andreyeva

Andreyeva was sentenced to 6 years as part of the 'Group of Seven' case, accused of creating an extremist group, calling for seizure of power, and organizing mass riots. She has been repeatedly prosecuted for peaceful protests.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Akylzhan Kiysymbayev

Kiysymbayev was sentenced to 5 years as part of the 'Group of Seven' case, accused of creating an extremist group, calling for seizure of power, organizing mass riots, and illegal possession of firearms. He sustained a gunshot wound during protests and was tortured by police. Reports indicate that they have been subjected to torture.

TORTURE REPORTED

LAST UPDATED · SEP 1, 2026

Yerbol ZHUMANOV

Zhumanov was accused of shooting and killing an NSC officer during protests in Taraz. He admitted picking up a weapon but denied killing anyone, and CCTV footage supporting his claim was not presented at trial.

LAST UPDATED · SEP 2, 2026

Convicted

Documented cases

Marat ZHYLANBAYEV

Zhanar Sekerbayeva

Zhanat KAZAKBAY

Aron Atabek

Yerzhan TOREKULOV

Nurlan TEMIRGALIYEV

Bekizhan MENDYGAZIYEV

Zhaksylyk Abdullayev

Nurlan Dalibayev

Natalia DAULETYAROVA

Gulzada Serzhan

Amangeldy URAZBAEV

Nurakhan Makhatov

Yerulan Amirov

Nursultan Isayev

Kalas Nurpeisov

Rinat Batkayev

Kazybek Kudaibergenov

Mansur Movlaev

Aibol Sagintay

Yermuhamet Shilibaev

Bagdagul Andreyeva

Akylzhan Kiysymbayev

Yerbol ZHUMANOV

Documented cases

Marat ZHYLANBAYEV

Zhanar Sekerbayeva

Zhanat KAZAKBAY

Aron Atabek

Yerzhan TOREKULOV

Nurlan TEMIRGALIYEV

Bekizhan MENDYGAZIYEV

Zhaksylyk Abdullayev

Nurlan Dalibayev

Natalia DAULETYAROVA

Gulzada Serzhan

Amangeldy URAZBAEV

Nurakhan Makhatov

Yerulan Amirov

Nursultan Isayev

Kalas Nurpeisov

Rinat Batkayev

Kazybek Kudaibergenov

Mansur Movlaev

Aibol Sagintay

Yermuhamet Shilibaev

Bagdagul Andreyeva

Akylzhan Kiysymbayev

Yerbol ZHUMANOV