Kazakh opposition activist Aidar Syzdyqov, who was detained last week, has been charged with "selling illegal drugs," his lawyer said on May 23. Meiirzhan Dosqaraev added that the charge is politically motivated. He said the charges against his client were based on a statement by a person who claims he had put money on Syzdyqov's debit card for drugs he allegedly received from him. Meanwhile, Dosqaraev said, all of his client's payment cards had been blocked after a court in Astana handed Syzdyqov a parole-like three-year sentence in 2021 over links with the banned opposition Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan movement. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Detained Kazakh Activist Charged With Illegal Drug Distribution
People wearing camouflage lead Kazakh opposition activist Aidar Syzdykov toward an unmarked bus in Astana on May 16.