Bloody January

Despite two era-defining moments occurring in the five years since Nazarbayev’s resignation, continuity is the main feature of governance in Kazakhstan.

Since the violent unrest of January 2022 in Kazakhstan, Samat Abish has remained in the shadows of various investigations. He’s now a target.

Kazakh legislation allows various government entities to slow and stop internet traffic, as occurred to tragic ends in January 2022. A group of NGOs wants the practice stopped for good.

Kazakh President Tokayev said in tweet that it was the “duty” of all to “learn the terrible lessons of the past and do everything possible so that such events do not happen again in the future.” What about the present?

Massimov’s supporters say the case against him was politically motivated, an incident of clear scapegoating.

Mamai’s prison sentence was suspended, but the Kazakh government has nevertheless silenced him.

An attack on a journalist highlights the difficult environment for the press.

As expected, following last summer’s constitutional referendum dropping references to “elbasy,” many of the First President’s other special privileges are ending.

Almaty’s journalists witnessed Kazakhstan’s largest city roil with protests, peaceful at first, then become engulfed in deepening anger and shocking violence. 

The legal battle for justice for those arbitrarily detained and those who were brutally tortured during Kazakhstan’s Bloody January imploded before it started.

In two southern Kazakhstan cities, the January protests devolved into shocking violence, from the use of live ammunition against protesters to police beatings of those detained.