Activist Orazaly Erzhanov Detained for 10 Days After Nighttime Search

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

Journalist Gulzhan Yergaliyeva confirmed the arrest in a social media post, stating that Erzhanov is not answering phone calls. The circumstances of his detention involved a nighttime operation at his residence.

Erzhanov is known for his public criticism of the draft of Kazakhstan's new Constitution. He has previously raised pointed questions about the legitimacy of the process, contrasting it with the extensive, months-long public discussion that preceded the adoption of the 1993 Constitution.

"Who elected the members of this working group and the members of the Kurultai? What is the legitimacy of their status and the decisions they make?" Erzhanov was quoted as saying by human rights monitors. "The nationwide discussion of the 1993 Constitution draft lasted about seven months with the participation of almost all citizens of the country. Why is there such distrust in the people of Kazakhstan now?"

This detention comes just a day after a Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs stated that he had no information about police pursuing individuals who criticize the new constitutional draft.