Criminal Case Opened Against Activist for Calls to Boycott Referendum

Kazakh authorities have initiated a criminal case against public activist Orazaly Yerzhanov. The charges stem from social media posts allegedly containing calls to boycott an upcoming referendum and other information deemed misleading.

According to official statements, the posts contained what is described as deliberately false information aimed at distorting facts and misleading the public. The investigation notes that foreign phone numbers were used in connection with these publications. The case has been opened under an article of the criminal code concerning the obstruction of citizens' electoral rights.

The police are currently investigating the activist's publications. Officials emphasized that while expressing one's opinion is not prohibited by law, legal liability arises for the deliberate spread of false information, distortion of facts, misleading citizens, or obstructing the work of election commissions.

Reports of Yerzhanov's detention emerged earlier in the day. Journalist Gulzhan Yergaliyeva stated that he had been arrested for a period of 10 days.

Yerzhanov heads the public foundation Elge Qaitaru and has previously been critical of the draft of a new Constitution. He has raised questions about the legitimacy of the working group and Kurultai (public assembly) involved in its preparation, as well as why discussions on the current draft are not as broad as those held in 1993.

This development follows a statement made just a day prior by a deputy minister of internal affairs, who claimed to have no information about citizens being prosecuted for criticizing the new Constitution.