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RFE/RL's Kazakh Service

RFE/RL's Kazakh Service offers informed and accurate reporting in the Kazakh and Russian languages about issues that matter in Kazakhstan, while providing a dynamic platform for audience engagement and the free exchange of news and ideas.

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Also by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service

October 07, 2024
Observers Report Intimidation Tactics In Kazakh Nuclear Power Vote

Journalists and observers say they were removed from polling places during Kazakhstan's October 6 referendum on building its first nuclear power plant. The official tally in the tightly controlled vote showed over 70 percent in favor of launching the project. The government has backed the plan.
October 07, 2024
Amid Clampdown On Dissent, Kazakh Voters 'Support' Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan's Central Referendum Commission said that almost three-quarters of voters cast ballots in support of the construction of a nuclear power plant amid a crackdown on activists opposed to the project.
October 06, 2024
Kazakh Exit Polls Indicate 'Yes' Vote In Tightly Controlled Nuclear Referendum

A least two exit polls indicated a large "yes" vote in a tightly controlled referendum to decide whether Kazakhstan should build its first nuclear power plant, which supporters say will help end its reliance on coal but which opponents argue is too expensive and will be an environmental hazard.
October 04, 2024
Kazakhstan Detains Activists Ahead of Nuclear Referendum

Two days before Kazakhstan holds a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, authorities detained at least 26 activists, Almaty-based human rights activist Bakhytzhan Toreghozhina said on October 4.
October 02, 2024
Kazakh Activists Jailed Ahead Of Nuclear-Power Referendum

Five Kazakh activists opposed to the construction of a nuclear power plant have been placed in pretrial detention for at least two months, their lawyers said on October 2.
September 27, 2024
Armenian Troops Boycott Russian-Led Military Exercises As Relations Sour

A week after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said his country is nearing the "point of no return" with the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty (CSTO), Yerevan has boycotted a key meeting of foreign ministers of the alliance and its troops the latest training exercises.
September 16, 2024
Denied Asylum In Kazakhstan, Karakalpak Activist Faces Extradition To Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan's authorities have rejected an asylum request filed by jailed Karakalpak activist Aqylbek Muratov (aka Muratbai), who is wanted in Uzbekistan on charges that human rights activists say are groundless.
September 16, 2024
Imprisoned Leader Of Unregistered Kazakh Opposition Party Starts Hunger Strike

The leader of the unregistered Algha, Qazaqstan (Forward, Kazakhstan) political party, Marat Zhylanbaev, has launched a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment.
September 15, 2024
Rights In Spotlight As Scholz Visits Central Asia, Signs Uzbek Migration Pact

International watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to promote human rights when he "makes history" this week as the first German chancellor to attend a summit in Central Asia with all five of that post-Soviet region's presidents.
September 13, 2024
Almaty Hotel Cancels Deal To Host Kazakh Group Opposing Nuclear Plant

A hotel in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, has canceled its agreement with a group opposing the government's plan to construct a nuclear power station to host a gathering next week.
September 12, 2024
Kazakh Court Cancels Ruling On Early Release Of Businessman Convicted In Banker's Murder Case

The Almaty regional court on September 12 canceled a lower court's decision to grant an early release to Kazakh businessman Muratkhan Toqmadi, who was sentenced in 2018 to a lengthy prison term for his alleged involvement in the killing of banker Erzhan Tatishev.
September 12, 2024
4 People, 2 Companies Fined In Kazakhstan Over Polls On Possible Nuclear Power Station

The Kazakh Prosecutor-General's Office said on September 12 that four individuals and two companies have been fined for holding opinion polls on the issue of the construction of a controversial nuclear power station.
September 11, 2024
Kazakh President Pardons Leading Sinologist Convicted Of Treason

Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has pardoned noted sinologist Konstantin Syroyezhkin, who was released on parole in April after serving more than half of the 10-year prison term he was handed in 2019 on high treason charges.
September 11, 2024
Kazakh Opposition Activist Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison

Asanali Suieubaev, a founding member of the unregistered Algha, Qazaqstan (Forward, Kazakhstan) political party, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on September 10 on a charge of distributing illegal drugs that he rejects as politically motivated.
September 11, 2024
Kazakh Activists Create Group Against Nuclear Power Station

A group of Kazakh activists has announced the creation of "a platform" to oppose a government plan for the construction of a nuclear power plant as a nationwide referendum on the issue next month nears.
September 09, 2024
Kazakh Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Opposition Politician's Appeal

Kazakhstan's Supreme Court on September 9 refused to hear an appeal filed by the leader of the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan, Zhanbolat Mamai, against a parole-like six-year prison setence, citing "lack of reasons" for the appeal.
September 09, 2024
Kazakh Ex-President Nazarbaev Meets With Uzbek Leader Mirziyoev

The Ozbekiston-24 state television channel and other state media outlets in Uzbekistan reported over the weekend that Kazakhstan's former President Nursultan Nazarbaev visited the Uzbek city of Bukhara last week, where it said he held "unofficial" talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev.
September 04, 2024
CPJ Expresses Concerns Over Kazakhstan's New Media Accreditation Rules

The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed concerns over recently introduced changes to Kazakhstan's domestic-media accreditation regulations and proposed changes to foreign-media accreditation, saying they could be used to muzzle independent media.
September 03, 2024
Kazakhstan To Spend Over $32 Million On Controversial Referendum About Nuclear Power Station

The chairwoman of Kazakhstan's Central Commission on Referendums (ORK), Sabila Mustafina, said on September 3 that 15.5 billion tenges (more than $32 million) has been requested for a nationwide referendum on the construction of a nuclear power station in the Central Asian country next month.
September 02, 2024
Kazakh President Announces Date For Controversial Nuclear Plant Project

Kazakhstan will hold a referendum on October 6 on whether to build a nuclear power plant, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev announced on September 2.

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