International Legal Initiative

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL INITIATIVE

Geneve, 27 January 2026

STATEMENT

on the case in defense of Mirbolat Bishuinov


The International Legal Initiative (ILI) expresses its concern regarding the outcome of the appeal in the case of journalist and civic activist Mirbolat Bishuinov.

According to the defence, today, 27 January 2026, the appeal hearing was held online despite the lawyers' motions to hold an offline (in-person) hearing, and on the same day the Criminal Cases Judicial Panel of the Almaty City Court announced its ruling, leaving the conviction in force.

By the judgment of the Medeu District Court No. 2 of Almaty dated 13 November 2025, Mirbolat Bishuinov was found guilty under Article 174(1) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment to be served in a medium-security facility; the judgment also states that the trial was conducted using videoconferencing and audio/video recording.

Sentencing Mirbolat Myrzatayevich Bishuinov to 4 years of imprisonment for publishing a video constitutes is an interference with his right to freedom of expression. Under article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and General Comment No. 34 of the UN Human Rights Committee, any restriction of this right must be provided by law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary and proportionate. In this case these criteria have not been met.

In light of the conviction being upheld, the International Legal Initiative calls
on the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan - to ensure an effective cassation review of the case;
the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan - to assess the application of Article 174 of the Criminal Code in this case;
and judicial and authorised bodies - to ensure that remote court hearings are used only where full and meaningful participation in the proceedings and confidential communication with counsel are guaranteed, and that motions for personal participation and an offline format are treated as significant for the right to a fair trial.

ILI will continue to monitor the case and to inform the public and relevant national and international mechanisms of further developments.

For more information please, contact to email: [email protected]
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