In modern Kazakhstan, activists and journalists receive prison terms for civil and trade union activities, for public criticism of the authorities, for participating in peaceful rallies, for publishing and sharing posts on social networks, and for conducting journalistic investigations.
On 28 November, 2016, a Kazakh court sentenced activists Maks Bokayev and Talgat Ayan to five years in prison. The court also banned them for three years from engaging in social activities and ordered them to pay 530,250 tenge (approximately 1,500 euros).
The Kazakh authorities have detained more than 1,000 and arrested more than 30 protesters. Several activists, who, via social networks, expressed their intention to attend rallies faced criminal charges of ‘attempting to seize power’, ‘inciting social and national hatred’.
While rejecting criticism from the international community, Kazakhstan is tightening its grip on civil society. However, a desire to preserve its image forces authorities to resort to making some concessions in the cases of political prisoners.
In connection with the criminal case against opposition politician Muratbek Ketebayev, the staff of the National Security Committee have sealed-off offices and confiscated the propertyof several independent medias and opposition groups
Press Conference in Kyiv, 18.05.2012
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