Kazakh activist Alnur Ilyashev charged with fraud after morning search

September 4, 2026 at 11:59 AM2 min

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Kazakh political activist Alnur Ilyashev has been charged with fraud under Article 190 of the Criminal Code following a search of his home on September 4. His brother Kanat Ilyashev and lawyer Daulet Abylkasymov reported the charge. Almaty police said the investigation is outside their jurisdiction.

Key Facts

Alnur Ilyashev was charged under Article 190 of the Criminal Code (fraud), according to his brother Kanat Ilyashev and lawyer Daulet Abylkasymov.
Police searched Ilyashev's home early on September 4, 2026, and took him away after the search.
Ilyashev's wife signed a non-disclosure agreement and cannot comment on the case.
Almaty police department stated the investigation is not within their competence.
In 2020, Ilyashev was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom and 100 hours of forced labor for posts criticizing the Nur Otan party.

The Charge

Alnur Ilyashev has been charged with fraud under Article 190 of the Criminal Code, his brother Kanat Ilyashev and lawyer Daulet Abylkasymov reported. Ilyashev was taken away after a search of his home, and his only words to his brother were 'Article 190'. His wife signed a non-disclosure agreement and cannot comment on the case.

The Search

Law enforcement officers arrived at Ilyashev's home early on September 4, 2026, to conduct a search. Kanat Ilyashev was not given information about which criminal case the search was part of. The Almaty police department said the investigation is not within their competence.

Prior Conviction and Legal Challenges

In 2020, Ilyashev was convicted of spreading knowingly false information during the state of emergency and sentenced to three years of restricted freedom and 100 hours of forced labor. He was banned from public and social activities for five years. Earlier this year, Ilyashev filed a lawsuit against President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev challenging the legality of the decree on the referendum, but the court rejected the claim.