The attempt to appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur in the case of Sanzhar Bokayev has raised questions from human rights activist and public figure Serik Berkamalov. In his opinion, international human rights mechanisms should not become an instrument of pressure on a national court, and the guilt of the defendant should be established by a court on the basis of law and the evidence examined.
WHAT THE EXPERT WROTE
On his Facebook page, Berkamalov stated that the number of signatures on the petition and public resonance should not influence the decision in a criminal case.
In his opinion, the right of citizens to express their position does not mean that they can predetermine the outcome of judicial proceedings. This principle should apply equally to all defendants — regardless of their fame, public status and professional activity.
«The independence of the court presupposes its protection from any unlawful influence, regardless of whether it comes from state bodies, political forces, public associations or individual citizens,» the human rights activist wrote.
HOW THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ASSESSES THE APPEAL TO THE UN
Serik Berkamalov drew a distinction between the use of international human rights mechanisms to protect human rights and attempts to influence the outcome of a specific judicial process.
In his opinion, international human rights protection mechanisms are permissible, but should not turn into a means of influencing national justice.
«Moreover, it should be remembered that unlawful interference in the activity of a court, where the elements provided for by criminal law are present, may entail criminal liability,» noted Serik Berkamalov.
According to the lawyer, the court must assess the evidence and apply the law regardless of how many people support the accused or oppose him.
WHAT SANZHAR BOKAYEV IS ACCUSED OF
On 16 October 2026 in Almaty, the trial began of Sanzhar Bokayev, his nephew Madiyar Kalmenov and videographer Ulan Nusipkozha. They have been charged under Articles 190 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan («Fraud»), 188 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan («Theft»), 218 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan («Legalisation of money or property obtained by criminal means»), 340 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan («Illegal felling of trees and shrubs») and 274 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan («Dissemination of knowingly false information»).
According to the investigation, the movement of funds through the accounts of affiliated structures involves a sum of more than KZT 42 million. Another episode relates to videos about granite slabs and tree felling in Baum Grove: the investigation believes that the footage may have been staged and aimed at discrediting the local authorities. The guilt of the defendants must be established by a court.
Earlier, public attention was drawn to activity on social media in support of Sanzhar Bokayev. On Instagram and Threads, accounts with signs of AI generation were discovered that published comments and content creating the impression of mass support for the defendant. This raises questions about how organically public opinion is being formed around the high-profile trial and whether an artificial impression of broad public support is being created.
