Additional Name(s): Zhuldyzbek Abikenovich Taurbekov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Health Concerns: Dilated cardiomyopathy
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/27/2018
Date of Sentencing: January/6/2020
Date of Release: January//2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism
Zhuldyzbek Taurbekov
Extra Bio Info:
Zhuldyzbek Taurbekov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On October 27, 2018, authorities arrested Taurbekov for participating in a WhatsApp group chat about Islam.
On January 6, 2020, the Almaly District Court in Almaty sentenced Taurbekov to seven years in prison for “incitement of social, national, patrimonial, racial, class or religious discord…by group of persons” (Art. 174-2 KCC) and "promotion of terrorism or public calls for making of the act of terrorism…with use of mass media or networks of telecommunications” (Art. 256-2 KCC). It also fined him 48,100 tenges plus 112,295 tenges in court fees.
On April 9, 2020, Taurbekov's appeal was denied.
In January 2022, Taurbekov was released from prison on probation.
Taurbekov suffers from dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that has put his life at risk while in prison.
Sources:
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"WhatsApp Group Members" Freedom Now
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USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel, Tweet, November 5, 2021
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"Kazakhstan: Emergency hospital stay for jailed Muslim" Forum 18
Additional Name(s): Azamat Gaidarovich Umbetaliyev
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/27/2018
Date of Sentencing: August/5/2019
Date of Release: December/6/2021
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech
Azamat Umbetaliyev
Extra Bio Info:
Azamat Umbetaliyev was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On October 27, 2018, authorities arrested Umbetaliyev for participating in a WhatsApp group chat about Islam.
On August 5, 2019, the Almaly District Court in Almaty sentenced Umbetaliyev to five years and six months in prison for "incitement of social, national, patrimonial, racial, class or religious discord…by group of persons” (Art. 174-2 KCC). It also fined him 48,100 tenges and froze his bank accounts.
On November 20, 2019, Umbetaliyev's appeal was denied.
On December 6, 2021, Umbetaliyev was released from prison on probation.
Sources:
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"WhatsApp Group Members" Freedom Now
Additional Name(s): Esim Kadirzhumanovich Suleimenov
Gender: Male
Current Location: Investigation Prison LA-155/18, Turksib, Almaty
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 5 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/27/2018
Date of Sentencing: August/5/2019
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Hate Speech Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism
Esim Suleimenov
Extra Bio Info:
Esim Suleimenov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On October 27, 2018, authorities arrested Suleimenov for participating in a WhatsApp group chat about Islam.
On August 5, 2019, the Almaly District Court in Almaty sentenced Suleimenov to five years and six months in prison for “incitement of social, national, patrimonial, racial, class or religious discord…by group of persons” (Art. 174-2 KCC) and "promotion of terrorism or public calls for making of the act of terrorism…with use of mass media or networks of telecommunications” (Art. 256-2 KCC). It also fined him 48,100 tenges and froze his bank accounts.
On November 20, 2019, Suleimenov's appeal was denied.
In October 2020, Suleimenov was released on probation.