Update on Investigation into Kazakhstan’s Tragic January, Alleged Rights Violations: 148 Complaints Reviewed, 103 Released, 105 Criminal Cases Related to Ill-treatment Launched

 

Nur-Sultan, 4 February 2022 – Yeldos Kilymzhanov, Deputy Head of the 1st Service of the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan, and Sanzhar Adilov, Head of the investigative department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, provided an update on the investigation into the tragic events in early January in Kazakhstan, and assured that citizens’ complaints related to potential unlawful methods of investigation, are being assessed and thoroughly investigated by the prosecutors.

They announced that 2,750 criminal cases are currently being processed by investigative and operational groups. Most cases are related to theft and robbery (1,674 cases). 802 suspects are currently being held in custody, 113 of them are being charged with criminal activity. It was noted that some are adherents of radical religious movements.

Mr. Kilymzhanov added that 148 complaints have been received about the use of unlawful methods of investigation and abuse of power. 105 criminal cases have been opened in this regard. They included cases related to the incidents at the Dynamo sports hall in the Atyrau region, the case of Mr. Batyrbaev in the Almaty region, and others. The representative of the General Prosecutor's Office assured that all complaints of citizens, including those posted online, are being thoroughly investigated by the prosecutors and the security departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This work is being conducted with the involvement of human rights organizations to ensure openness and transparency.

Mr. Adilov informed that 1,573 buildings were damaged during the unrest in early January (1,502 of them are businesses). Furthermore, 765 vehicles were damaged, including 551 police vehicles and 124 belonging to civilians. Total damage so far amounts to 88 billion tenge (over 203 million USD). Furthermore, 747 weapons and over 18,000 ammunitions that were stolen during the unrest have been confiscated.

It was also stated that 103 citizens have been released from temporary detention facilities, while work is underway to mitigate the previously applied punishments. It was noted that the level of danger to the public, the degree of participation in the criminal activity, the character of the suspect, repentance and willingness to cooperate with the investigation are taken into account when selecting the most appropriate punishment.

Mr. Kilymzhanov stressed that the investigation may take some time, as it is necessary to check the circumstances of all deaths carefully and objectively. Complex forensic examinations are being conducted in this regard, which can take up to two months or more. It will it be possible to give a legal assessment of the actions of each person only after the completion of all investigative tasks.