Kazakhstan amnesty law excludes 32 of 34 political prisoners, rights groups say
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Kazakhstan's amnesty law, in force since July 2, 2026, excludes 32 of 34 political prisoners from release or sentence reduction, according to a legal analysis by human rights defender Bakhytzhan Toregoshina and the TIREK Alliance. The groups say the law's exclusion list covers nearly all articles used to prosecute opposition and civic activists. Only two prisoners, Aidar Syzdykov and Muratbay Baimagambetov, remain eligible for sentence mitigation.
Key Facts
- The amnesty law, effective July 2, 2026, excludes 32 of 34 political prisoners from release or sentence reduction.
- The exclusion list covers articles on extremism, terrorism, extortion, corruption, mass riots, and spreading false information.
- Only Aidar Syzdykov and Muratbay Baimagambetov remain eligible for sentence mitigation.
- The TIREK Alliance called the law 'direct discrimination' and a division of citizens into 'insiders' and 'outsiders'.
- Article 430 of the Criminal Code was added to the exclusion list, affecting human rights defender Yermek Narymbai.
Exclusion List Coverage
The law's Article 3 excludes crimes with signs of extremism and terrorism, including Articles 174, 179, 256, 258, and 405 of the Criminal Code. Among those excluded are Marat Zhylanbaev, leader of the unregistered Alga, Kazakhstan! party, journalist Duman Mukhammedkarim, and activists Erulan Amirov, Danat Namazbaev, Zhandarbek Bashanov, Askar Sembai, and Amangeldy Dzhakhin. Extortion charges under Article 194 exclude journalist Makhambet Abzhan and activists Yergali Kulbaev, Damir Kusheev, and Mirshat Sarsenbaev. Corruption articles 366 and 367 exclude former deputy Nurzhan Altayev and activist Aslan Utepov. Mass riot charges under Article 272 exclude January events defendants Aigerim Tleuzhanova, Akylzhan Kiysymbayev, Olzhas Kulzhakhanov, Tenilik Nurlanov, Bagdagul Andreyeva, and Sagynkul Konar.
Targeted Legislative Amendments
The report claims that specific articles were added to the exclusion list to block release of particular individuals. Article 430 of the Criminal Code, concerning non-execution of a court sentence, was included in paragraph 16 of the law's non-amnesty provisions. Human rights defender and political figure Yermek Narymbai is serving a sentence under Article 430. The TIREK Alliance stated: 'We are once again convinced that the amnesty is made for insiders, and it does not apply to political prisoners, as if they are not citizens of Kazakhstan.' The Alliance called the law 'not just selective application, but direct discrimination and a dangerous division of citizens into insiders and outsiders.'
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