Additional Name(s): Galymzhan Ramazanovich Abilkairov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 7 Years, 7 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/23/2018
Date of Sentencing: October/19/2018
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Online Activity Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism
Galymzhan Abilkairov
Extra Bio Info:
Galymzhan Abilkairov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On April 23, 2018, authorities arrested Abilkairov reportedly following an investigation into sermons he posted online about Islam.
On October 19, 2018, the Burabai District Court sentenced Abilkairov to seven years and seven months in prison for “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). His bank accounts were also frozen.
On December 26, 2018, Abilkairov's appeal was rejected.
Prior to his conviction, Abilkairov was being held at the Investigation Prison in Kokshetau.
In December 2024, Galymzhan Abilkairov was released from prison.
Abilkairov has a wife and son.
Publicly Available Information:
Additional Name(s): Dilmurat Makhamatov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Kazakhstan
Ethnic Group: Uzbek
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December/19/2018
Date of Sentencing: May/2/2019
Date of Release: December//2024
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
Dilmurat Makhamatov
Extra Bio Info:
Dilmurat Sultanmuratovich Makhamatov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
On December 19, 2018, Kazakh authorities arrested Makhamatov after reportedly forcing him to return under false pretenses to Kazakhstan from Saudi Arabia, his home for nearly two decades. They were reportedly investigating comments he made about Islam that were posted online.
On May 2, 2019, the Al-Farabi District Court in Shymkent sentenced Makhamatov to eight 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). His bank accounts were also frozen.
On June 26, 2019, Makhamatov's appeal was denied.
Prior to his conviction, Makhamatov was being held at the Investigation Prison in Shymkent.
In December 2024, Makhamatov was released from prison.
Makhamatov has two wives and nine children.
Publicly Available Information:
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.
Publicly Available Information:
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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