(17 February 2026 | Source: Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law; Radio Azattyq)
In the Kyzylorda region, a court found Yergali Kulbayev and Aklima Yertaikyzy guilty of extortion and sentenced each to 4 years in prison. The execution of the sentence against Yertaikyzy has been deferred due to her having a minor child.
HOW THE CONFLICT DEVELOPED
According to case materials, the events took place in the summer of 2025 during the election of the akim of the Kazaly district. Yergali Kulbayev and Aklima Yertaikyzy participated in the electoral process as independent observers and reported violations they had identified.
It was established that Yertaikyzy, in a conversation with the chairman of the election commission, demanded money, threatening to publish video materials on social networks. The case materials mention that during the conversation, a sum of 500,000 tenge was discussed, while 300,000 tenge was actually transferred.
The court classified the actions of the defendants under paragraph 2 of part 2 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Extortion committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy”).
COURT DECISION
The court sentenced Yergali Kulbayev to 4 years in prison, to be served in a penal institution. Taking into account a previously imposed sentence in a case related to the January 2022 events, he was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Aklima Yertaikyzy was also sentenced to 4 years in prison. However, in accordance with Article 74 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the execution of the sentence has been deferred for 5 years due to her having a minor child. She was released from custody in the courtroom.
DEFENCE POSITION
Lawyer Timur Akhmetov stated his intention to appeal the verdict. According to him, the victim indicated during the trial that he had not received any demands personally from Kulbayev.
The defence also notes that Yertaikyzy admitted to receiving the money but claimed she acted independently. The court, among other things, assessed the wording used in the conversation as evidence of prior conspiracy.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The defence has 15 days to file an appeal. The lawyers intend to appeal the verdict to a higher judicial authority.
Human rights activists, including representatives of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, have declared their intention to seek a review of the verdict. Their publications express disagreement with the classification of the defendants' actions and the transfer of the proceedings to the Kyzylorda region.