Court Fines Activist in Case She Calls Politically Motivated

The Interdistrict Criminal Court of Astana has issued a ruling in the case of Feminita co-founder Zhanar Sekerbayeva. She was accused of assaulting Ziuar Zhumanova, who describes herself as a “concerned mother of many children,” Orda.kz reports.

The decision was handed down by Judge Eskendir Amanzholov. The court found Sekerbayeva guilty under Part 1 of Article 109-1 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, covering beatings or other violent acts causing pain without harm to health, and fined her 40 MCI, or 173,000 tenge.

This case is completely fabricated and political. I understand that the state sees a threat in brave, bright and autonomous women, in activists. A method of provocation was used against me to create a conflict. It was a staged situation based on a poor script, where I allegedly beat someone.Sekerbayeva said.

According to her, Ziuar Zhumanova was simply used to create such a situation, and a similar scheme could later be used against Zhumanova herself.

The criminal case against Sekerbayeva began after a complaint was filed by Astana resident Ziuar Zhumanova. The incident after which Zhumanova filed the complaint took place on November 22, 2025, in a café in Astana.

According to the prosecution, Zhumanova and Sekerbayeva got into a conflict at the café. When they went toward the stairs, Sekerbayeva allegedly pushed Zhumanova, causing her “painful sensations.” A medical examination found no injuries on the complainant, but the prosecution insisted that the assault had taken place.

According to the defense, Zhumanova and her acquaintances came to the café, began filming guests and shouting accusations of immoral behavior at feminist activists gathered at a table, among them Sekerbayeva. The lawyers also said the opponents of the activists then tried to block the exit to the stairs.

The court considered witness testimony and video recordings from the scene sufficient evidence, although neither the footage recorded by Zhumanova’s acquaintances nor the videos submitted by defense witnesses captured a moment in which Sekerbayeva struck Zhumanova.

The prosecutor asked for a sentence of 40 hours of community service, but the court chose to impose a fine instead.

Zhanar Sekerbayeva may appeal the ruling.

Original author: Nurgul Zhiger 

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