Kazakhstan - April 2023

Karim Masimov, the long-time powerful head of the Kazakh security services, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on high treason charges for what prosecutors said was organizing the January 2022 ‘Black January’ unrest in the country. Several of Masimov’s deputies were also sentenced to lengthy prison terms, although due to the secrecy of the trial, details of the treason charges and Masimov’s alleged role in the mass protests remain unclear. Although public accusations have centred around grand corruption, observers suspect the move may be part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s efforts to use the ‘Black January’ events as an excuse to remove potential supporters of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev from positions of authority.

Sources: Astana District Court, EurasiaNet