Bokayev trial postponed to October 16 after transfer to Astana

September 25, 2026 at 08:51 PM2 min

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The first hearing in the criminal case against activist Sanzhar Bokayev has been postponed from September 28 to October 16. Lawyer Radmir Utepov said the delay is due to Bokayev's transfer from Almaty to Astana. The trial was scheduled to open in Almaly District Court in Almaty.

Key Facts

The hearing was moved from September 28 at 09:30 to October 16 at 10:00, a delay of 18 days.
Bokayev and his videographer Ulan Nusipkozha were transferred from Almaty to a detention facility in Astana.
Bokayev has been in custody since March 18, 2026.
The trial was initially set to be held in open session at the Almaly District Criminal Court in Almaty.
Defense lawyer Alma Musina appealed to the Prosecutor General and the Chairman of the Supreme Court over the transfers.

Postponement and Transfer

The first hearing in the case against Sanzhar Bokayev was postponed from September 28 to October 16. Lawyer Radmir Utepov said the court secretary informed him that the hearing set for September 28 at 09:30 was moved to October 16 at 10:00. The reason given was Bokayev's transfer to Astana. Bokayev and his videographer Ulan Nusipkozha were moved from the Almaty detention facility of the National Security Committee to a detention center in Astana. The trial was originally scheduled to open in the Almaly District Criminal Court in Almaty in open session.

Defense Reaction

Defense lawyer Alma Musina said the transfers hinder preparation for the trial. She noted that the pre-trial investigation had already ended and the case had been sent to court. Musina appealed to the Prosecutor General and the Chairman of the Supreme Court to prevent violations of the rights of lawyers and defendants.

Case Background

Bokayev has been in custody since March 18, 2026. Prosecutors accuse him of posting videos on social media about illegal tree felling in a public park and theft from construction sites to spread false information and create negative public opinion. Investigators claim Bokayev organized and financed the tree felling himself, hiring low-income individuals and promising them payment. The Prosecutor General's Office also said the fraud charge relates to Bokayev's work as an adviser to the head of KazTransGas about ten years ago. Bokayev's close relatives offered personal guarantees, but the court placed him in the National Security Committee detention facility during the investigation.