Kazakhstan: Increased Criminal Convictions Relating to the Bloody January Incidents
Unleashing the Aftermath: Prosecutions in Kazakhstan's Bloody January
The tumultuous chapter of Bloody January in Kazakhstan is far from over as the government continues its pursuit of those involved in the 2022 upheaval. Recent developments in an Almaty district court led to convictions on June 11 of 11 individuals accused of attacking government buildings amidst the turmoil.
One of the convicted, Akzhol Zhandarbekov, was found guilty of "participation in mass riots," "invasion of a building," "use of violence against a government official," and "taking a serviceman hostage." He was sentenced to four years in prison. The remaining 10 defendants, ranging from 22 to 53 years old, were found guilty of "participation in mass riots" and "attacks on buildings and structures." Each received a one-year-nine-month sentence.
Many defendants maintained their innocence. Reports indicate they claimed to have been subjected to police brutality and coercive tactics during their detention.
While the sentences seem lenient compared to earlier Bloody January trials, such as the 17-year sentence handed to entrepreneur Kazybek Kudaibergenov in November 2022, others have faced stiffer consequences, like 32-year-old Nursultan Isaev of Aktobe, who in early 2023 received a 15-year prison term for allegedly ramming police officers with his car during the riots.
Human Rights Activists' Perspective
Human rights advocates argue that these trials regularly discard evidence favorable to the accused while relying on circumstantial evidence. Kanat Beisebaev, a lawyer representing one of those accused of participating in the riots, contends that many defendants were merely bystanders, not perpetrators. "Justice should be grounded in facts, law, and fairness," Beisebaev stated, "but this is not the case."
As of now, nearly 1,400 individuals have been convicted of criminal offences related to Bloody January. Exploring the intricacies of these judicial processes has been challenging, as many proceedings have been closed to the public, offering little insight into the sequence of events that fueled the violent encounters between protesters and security forces.
In the larger context, the "Bloody January" events stir controversy over the government's response to the unrest. The protests began as a response to high fuel prices, but the situation escalated into widespread anti-government protests and violent clashes with security forces.
Critics highlight the absence of transparency, allegations of human rights abuses, and concerns about the use of lethal force by security forces. They argue that the government's actions have sparked both domestic and international criticism. International pressure persists for Kazakhstan to address these concerns, establish fair trials, and ensure due process, as well as accountability for those responsible for the violence.
The ongoing trials related to Kazakhstan's Bloody January are not confined to merely politics or general-news, as they also resonate significantly in the realm of crime-and-justice. Amidst the ongoing judicial proceedings, human rights activists expressed concern that these trials may overlook evidence favorable to the accused, potentially misrepresenting many defendants as perpetrators when they were merely bystanders.
