The editorial desk is tracking 60 individuals facing imminent threats to their safety, health, or legal status. These cases require immediate international attention and advocacy.
Torture, denied care, or immediate threat to life.
Pre-trial detention, an ongoing trial or heavy charges pending.
Documented by counsel, family, or monitors.
About 1 years and 12 months in detention.
Names and photographs are published from public records or with the consent of families. To request a correction, use the option on the person's case page or contact the desk.
Александр Кынев
Political scientist and foreign agent Alexander Kynev was arrested on drug charges and sent to SIZO with broken bones, which his defense claims resulted from torture.
Владимир (Иаков) Воронцов
Father Iakov (Vladimir Yuryevich Vorontsov), a hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan who spoke out against Russia's war in Ukraine and was defrocked in 2023, was taken into custody in February 2026 on drug charges (Articles 296 and 302). A 2023 investigation against him for inciting religious discord had been closed for lack of a crime. In May 2026 an Almaty court ordered his placement in a psychiatric institution without notifying him or his lawyers. The drug-den charge was dropped before trial, and on 7 October 2026 the Medeu district court, sitting in closed session, sentenced him to four years' imprisonment for drug possession after an amnesty reduction. He denies guilt and calls the case politically motivated.
Роман Белов
Roman Belov, a Kazakhstani tattoo artist, was arrested on 18 November 2025 in Russia after being lured across the border under the pretext of a job offer. He is currently held in pre-trial detention in Orenburg, facing charges of espionage and supporting extremism. Belov has reported being subjected to severe torture by FSB officers, including beatings and electric shocks, to extract a false confession. He has also expressed concerns regarding his health and the safety of his family.
Корсакава Таццяна
Tatsiana Korsakava, a preschool educator from Minsk, was detained along with her husband and daughter. The family was charged with treason and weapons smuggling. She was sentenced to 12 years in a general regime colony.
Роман Махнёв
Roman Makhnyov, a Jehovah's Witness detained in a raid in Kaluga, has accused FSB officers of torturing him and depriving him of food. He claims prohibited literature was planted in his home during the search.
Турсынбек Каби
An activist facing criminal charges following a peaceful protest in November 2025. He requires medical assistance for health problems allegedly linked to torture experienced in a Chinese internment camp.
Сергей Яковлев
Sergey Yakovlev testified in court that FSB officers tortured him for three days and forced him to assemble a bomb for a staged video. He is accused of participating in the 'Artpodgotovka' movement to attack energy infrastructure.
Елена Матушевская
Producer Elena Matushevskaya was sent to pre-trial detention in Tomsk. She is accused of making several transfers totaling 3,500 rubles to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).
Юрий Дудь
Journalist Yury Dud has been arrested in absentia by a Moscow court for incitement to terrorism. This follows an interview with a commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, which is recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia.
Александр Шпак
A new criminal case has been opened against blogger Alexander Shpak for allegedly making public calls to terrorism in a 2024 video. He was previously sentenced in absentia for 'military fake' charges.
Akylbek Muratbai Muratov
Since 2013, Akylbek has been an active member of the Karakalpak diaspora in Almaty and is recognized as an informal community leader. His activism focuses on preserving Karakalpak language, culture, and history, as well as coordinating humanitarian and legal assistance for labor migrants from Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan. In June 2022, following the announcement of proposed constitutional amendments affecting the status of Karakalpakstan, Akylbek organized a petition campaign across several Kazakhstani cities, including Almaty, to oppose the changes. Akylbek was arrested by Kazakh police on February 15, 2024, on an extradition request from Uzbekistan. He was held in pre-trial detention for one year and released on February 15, 2025. He was convicted in absentia in Uzbekistan without proper notification or the opportunity to defend himself. He currently faces the risk of extradition to Uzbekistan if his asylum appeal in Kazakhstan is rejected by the Supreme Court.
Эльвира Бекзадина
Elvira Bekzadina, an activist for the unregistered party 'Alga Kazakhstan', was arrested on 16 December 2025 in Astana while attempting to commemorate the 1986 uprising. During the arrest, police reportedly used force against her and her two minor daughters, and she later alleged she was beaten by officers in a location without surveillance. On 1 June 2026, she was sentenced to two years in prison for insulting a representative of authority and using violence against a representative of authority, though the sentence was suspended for one year due to her status as a mother of minors.
