Ernar Samatov

Additional Name(s): Ernar Samatovich Samatov

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: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/27/2018

Date of Sentencing: August/5/2019

Date of Release: October/10/2025

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

Ernar Samatov

Extra Bio Info:

Ernar Samatov was imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.

On October 27, 2018, Kazakh authorities arrested Samatov for participating in a WhatsApp group chat about Islam. 

On August 5, 2019, the Almaly District Court in Almaty sentenced Samatov to seven years and six months' imprisonment 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). Authorities also fined him 48,100 tenges and froze his bank accounts.

On 10 October 2025, Samatov was released from prison.

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