Prosecutor seeks 8-year terms for five activists in Astana unrest case
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A prosecutor in Almaty requested eight-year prison sentences for five activists accused of plotting to seize the presidential residence in Astana. The request was made Friday during closing arguments at the Almaly District Criminal Court. The trial is being held behind closed doors.
Key Facts
- Prosecutor requested eight years in a medium-security facility for each of the five defendants: Askar Nurmagan, Abduali Tagai, Duisenbek Zhashashev, Kaisar Ozbek, and Talgat Ashirov.
- The defendants are charged with propaganda of violent seizure of power, preparation and organization of mass riots, and illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of explosives.
- The trial is being held in closed session after the prosecutor argued that a witness feared for their safety.
- According to the indictment, the activists held secret meetings and created a WhatsApp group called 'Kairat Team' to plan the unrest.
- The indictment describes the defendants' actions from January to June 2025, including their meetings and contacts.
Prosecution's Request
The prosecutor asked the Almaly District Criminal Court in Almaty to sentence each of the five activists to eight years in a medium-security penal colony. Human rights defender Bakytzhan Toregozhina reported the requested sentence. The five defendants are Askar Nurmagan, Abduali Tagai, Duisenbek Zhashashev, Kaisar Ozbek, and Talgat Ashirov.
Charges and Alleged Plot
Nurmagan, Tagai, and Zhakashev are accused of propaganda of violent seizure or retention of power by a group, as well as preparation and organization of mass riots involving violence, destruction, and resistance to authorities. Ozbek and Ashirov face the same charges plus illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of explosives by a group. The indictment states that the activists held secret meetings and created a WhatsApp group called 'Kairat Team' to plan their actions. According to the indictment, they agreed to organize mass riots in Astana to seize power, capture the presidential residence Akorda, and trigger a spontaneous uprising. The indictment covers the defendants' actions from January to June 2025.
Closed Trial
The court granted the prosecutor's request to hold the trial behind closed doors after a witness expressed safety concerns. Defense lawyer Zhanara Balgabayeva criticized the decision, saying, 'They don't want publicity. They want to quickly close everyone without noise and dust.'
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