In Karaganda, the trial in the case of Alika Mukhamadiyeva, who was accused of inciting ethnic hatred following posts on the social network Threads, has concluded. The court found her guilty and sentenced her to three and a half years in prison, but granted a two-year deferment of sentence due to the convicted woman having a young child.
The criminal case was initiated after Mukhamadiyeva's controversial statements on the social network Threads. The charge was brought under Article 174, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Incitement of social, national, tribal, racial, class or religious hatred"), which carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to seven years. After posting the contentious comments, the woman attempted to leave the country but was detained by law enforcement authorities two days later.
At the final court hearing, Mukhamadiyeva pleaded guilty and offered an apology to society. She stated that she understands the consequences of her actions and the seriousness of the situation. In her address to the court, the convicted woman asked for her remorse to be taken into account, as well as the fact that she is raising a young daughter. During the hearings, the defence attributed the defendant's actions to the severe emotional state she was in at the time of posting the statements.
The case itself has sparked significant public debate. Public opinion on the sentencing was divided: part of society insisted on the need for strict punishment for actions that could have provoked inter-ethnic tension, while another part argued for leniency in light of the defendant's personal circumstances.
For its part, the court's decision to grant a deferment of sentence is based on amendments to the Criminal Code that came into force on 16 September 2025. According to the new provisions, women with young children must be granted a deferment of sentence, except in cases where the court imposes a term of more than five years for certain categories of serious crimes. This means that Mukhamadiyeva will be able to remain free for two years, provided she complies with the established requirements.
Be that as it may, the consequences of what happened are already serious for Alika Mukhamadiyeva. In addition to criminal prosecution, she has faced public condemnation, reputational damage and significant pressure in the public sphere.
For many participants in public discussions, this case will probably serve as another reminder of the boundaries of acceptable behaviour in public statements and of responsibility for content distributed on social networks.
At the same time, the application of the sentence deferment shows that the judicial system takes social circumstances and the interests of children into account when passing sentences. It now remains for society to maintain a balanced approach in its assessments and to respect the court's decision, avoiding excessive emotional reactions that could lead to a new round of tension.