Trial begins for Kazakh land-reform protesters
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 October 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Trial begins for Kazakh land-reform protesters, 12 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a0dba.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 12, 2016
Kazakh activists Talghat Ayan (left) and Maks Boqaev in an Atyrau courtroom on October 12.
Two participants in a mass protest against land reform in Kazakhstan have gone on trial in the western city of Atyrau.
An Atyrau court began hearings on October 12 against Maks Boqaev and Talghat Ayan, who were charged with inciting social discord, intentionally distributing false information, and illegally organizing public gatherings.
Boqaev and Ayan were detained on April 24 at a central square in Atyrau, where hundreds gathered to protest a government-approved bill on land privatization and land leasing to foreigners.
The protests in Atyrau were followed by mass protests across Kazakhstan for almost two weeks. The protesters expressed concern that the bill would allow foreigners to own farmland in Kazakhstan.
In May, President Nursultan Nazarbaev had to suspend the bill's implementation until 2017. He also created a public commission to revise the bill.
In August, Nazarbaev prolonged the moratorium on land privatization until December 2021.
Rights watchdogs have called on Kazakh authorities to release Boqaev and Ayan, saying they have a right to express their views publicly.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
