In the trial at the Almalinskiy District Court in Almaty, five defendants are present — Kaysar Ozbek, Talgat Ashirov, Askar Nurmagan, Abduali Tagay, and Duysenbek Zhakashov. They were detained in June 2025 and have since been held in the KNB pre-trial detention center. The court proceedings began in early February and are being conducted behind closed doors.
At the hearing on February 25, lawyer Zhanar Balghabaeva reported that Talgat Ashirov's health had deteriorated, and the process was postponed to February 27.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE ON TRIAL?
Askar Nurmagan, 57, is a civil activist from Karaganda who has repeatedly participated in protests supporting Ukraine and opposing the influx of Russians evading mobilization. For his activism, he has already faced administrative penalties, including a 15-day arrest for obstructing a march with the Soviet flag on Victory Day.
Nurmagan has previously faced criminal prosecution. In February 2021, for participating in the activities of banned movements, he was sentenced to one and a half years of restricted freedom and forced labor.
Activist from Karaganda Askar Nurmaganov during a rally in support of Ukraine
58-year-old Kaysar Ozbek, an activist from Almaty, has also repeatedly expressed his views on the political situation in the country. During the events of January, he went out to the square demanding not to deploy CSTO troops. Later, he shared with Azattyq his memories of how the military opened fire on people who raised a banner reading “We are ordinary people. We are not terrorists.”
57-year-old Abduali Tagay, residing in Astana, actively participated in the “land rallies” of 2016, which forced the authorities to impose a moratorium on controversial amendments to the land code. He also faced detention during anti-Chinese protests in 2019.
There is little detailed information available about 62-year-old Talgat Ashirov and 56-year-old Duysenbek Zhakashov in public sources.
Four out of the five defendants were unemployed at the time of their detention. Kaysar Ozbek worked as a driver in a bus depot.
THE ESSENCE OF THE CHARGES
Askar Nurmagan, Abduali Tagay, and Duysenbek Zhakashov are accused of promoting the seizure of power and organizing mass riots. Kaysar Ozbek and Talgat Ashirov are also charged with illegal handling of weapons.
The investigation believes that Kaysar Ozbek openly expressed his intentions to seize power and discussed the creation of a temporary government with other participants. The prosecution claims that they planned mass riots and an attack on the president's residence together.
The case materials mention that the defendants considered various ways to organize riots, including seeking funding and freeing former Defense Minister Murat Bekhtanov, who is serving a sentence.
It is also indicated in the case that on April 27, 2025, reconnaissance of the president's residence was conducted, and in May, the suspects purchased radios and loudspeakers. In early June, they manufactured Molotov cocktails and stored explosive devices and firearms.
On the night of June 15, a cache with Molotov cocktails, rifles, and ammunition was found in the Iliyskiy district.
The case materials also mention a certain Umarbekov, who is not a defendant, but whose role remains unclear.
The investigative authorities point to the destructive impact of the defendants on public opinion, which could have contributed to the organization of protest actions.
WHAT DO THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS SAY?
The lawyers of two of the defendants consider the charges unfounded.
Galym Nurpeisov, representing Abduali Tagay, notes inconsistencies in the case.
“To organize mass riots, you need resources, connections, and specific goals. And these people are ordinary workers. Who will finance such a movement? Why are they being turned into opposition figures?” — Nurpeisov questions.
He claims that provocation occurred, in which the defendants were drawn in.
Zhanara Balghabaeva, the lawyer for Askar Nurmagan, asserts that her client did not commit the crimes he is accused of.
“Security forces infiltrated provocateurs who pushed activists towards criminal actions. My client became a victim of these provocateurs,” emphasizes Balghabaeva.
According to her, Nurmagan did not participate in destructive conversations, and when they began, he exited the chat.
The lawyers also argue that the case includes conversations in which Nurmagan did not participate.
PARALLELS WITH OTHER CASES
The defenders draw analogies with other cases related to accusations of attempts to seize Akorda. In August of last year, a similar court sentenced five men to four years of restricted freedom for preparing mass riots before the referendum on the nuclear power plant.
In 2024, in the “tractor case,” six people were convicted for calls to violently seize power. The prosecution was based on video recordings and witness testimonies, which raised doubts among human rights defenders.
The founder of the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human Rights, Yevgeny Zhovtis, noted that the new case raises questions about the existence of real threats of mass riots and the absence of known activists among the accused.
“This is preventive intimidation, when the authorities began to pursue not only leaders but also groups of activists. The trial is being held behind closed doors, which violates the principles of publicity,” concludes Zhovtis.
The lawyers also believe that there are no grounds for closing the trial in the case of “seizing power” and “organizing mass riots.”
