Activist Orazaly Erzhanov Detained for 10 Days After Criticizing Constitution

Orazaly Erzhanov, the head of the public foundation Elge Qaitaru, has been detained for a period of 10 days. According to reports from his spouse, he was taken from his home during the night in an operation that also involved a search.

Journalist Gulzhan Yergaliyeva confirmed the arrest in a social media post, stating that Erzhanov is not answering phone calls. The detention follows Erzhanov's public criticism of the proposed new Constitution of Kazakhstan.

In recent statements, Erzhanov raised pointed questions about the legitimacy of the constitutional reform process. He questioned who elected the members of the working group and the Kurultai (assembly), and challenged the legitimacy of their status and decisions. He contrasted the current process with the nationwide discussion that lasted about seven months for the 1993 Constitution, asking why there is now such a "distrust of the people of Kazakhstan."

These comments were documented by human rights organizations monitoring the situation. The detention occurs against a backdrop where authorities have previously denied targeting critics. Just a day before this arrest, a deputy minister of internal affairs stated he had no information about police pursuing individuals for criticizing the new Constitution.