Documented cases

Ergali Nurlybayev

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Bedelkhan Qabileshim

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Baqytzhan Shugyl

An activist placed under house arrest following a protest. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord.

Qanat Turdybai

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Beisenali Aqzhigit

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Ayan Kalymbet

An activist placed under house arrest following a protest. They are facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord.

Quandyk Qozhanov

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Asylkhan Kolkhaev

An activist placed under house arrest following a protest. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord.

Nurgeldi Nursapa

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Marghulan Nurdangazy

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Erkinbek Nuraqyn

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Erbol Nurlybayev

An activist affiliated with the Atajurt movement detained during a peaceful protest near the Kazakhstan–China border. He is facing criminal charges for incitement to national discord following the protest.

Gulnar Shaimurat

An activist placed under house arrest following a protest. She is facing criminal charges related to incitement to national discord.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Bekzat Maksutkan

Bekzat Maksutkan is a leader of an activist group that documents abuses in Xinjiang and was involved in an anti-China protest. He is among the 19 protesters facing criminal charges in Kazakhstan.

Batylbek Baigazy

An activist held in pre-trial detention facing charges related to a peaceful protest in November 2025. There are grave concerns regarding his health as he has reportedly lost his eyesight while in custody.

LAST UPDATED · OCT 15, 2026

Bakytnur Nurmukhan

An activist detained in pre-trial detention for his involvement in a peaceful protest. He has reportedly suffered severe hearing loss while in custody.