Kazakhstan's Supreme Court on September 9 refused to hear an appeal filed by the leader of the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan, Zhanbolat Mamai, against a parole-like six-year prison setence, citing "lack of reasons" for the appeal. Mamai was sentenced in April 2023, and a court of appeals in June upheld the ruling. Mamai, his supporters, and a rights group have insisted the case is politically motivated. The charges are related to the unprecedented mass protests in January 2022 that turned deadly. Mamai has been trying to register his party for years, but claims he is being prevented from doing so by the government. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Opposition Politician's Appeal
Zhanbolat Mamai appears at the Supreme Court in Astana on September 9.