Duman Mukhammedkarim Speaks Out in Prison Letter

A press conference dedicated to the case of activist and journalist Duman Mukhammedkarim was held on July 22 at the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law in Almaty, Orda.kz reports.

During the event, journalist Rysbek Sarsenbayuly read out a letter from Mukhammedkarim, who is serving a seven-year sentence on charges of participating in the activities of a banned organization and financing extremism.

Mukhammedkarim was convicted under Articles 405, Part 2, and 258, Part 1 of the Criminal Code. According to his lawyer Galym Nurpeisov, immediately after being released from a punishment cell, he was placed back in solitary confinement.

Several Times

Lawyer Galym Nurpeisov visited Mukhammedkarim on June 23–24:

I spoke with the administration of the institution several times. One of the adminstrators said: 'I can't put Duman in a general regime (holding - Ed.). If he gets there, there will be a riot.' Duman himself said: 'As soon as I get out, they'll immediately put me back in solitary confinement for five months because I refuse to wear a prison uniform,'
 Nurpeisov shared.

He described harsh conditions in solitary: lights out at 10 p.m., wake-up at 6 a.m., and a cell with only a chair.

Mukhammedkarim is reportedly being punished for refusing to wear a prison uniform, which he views as a symbol of submission.

They don’t need me to wear a robe; they need me to admit my ‘guilt.’ If I started denigrating the opposition and praising the government, they would release me. But I won’t trade my honor for a rag,
 he wrote in his letter from prison, dated June 27, 2025.

Mukhammedkarim also revealed that he was quietly transferred from Taldykorgan to Qyzylorda’s Prison No. 60, under what he describes as intimidating conditions involving an armed escort, barking dogs, and a specially prepared prisoner van.

The activist alleges that law enforcement officers privately acknowledge that his case is politically motivated:

No matter which official I speak to, they all know that my case is political. And they talk to me as if they are apologizing,
 he added.

No License, Clear Conscience

His lawyer also raised questions about the legality of the forensic examination in the case, stating it was conducted by an unlicensed specialist. One of the charges against him involves a 20,000 tenge transfer he received for his birthday — cited as evidence of financing extremism.

Mukhammedkarim concludes his letter with a defiant message:

I am in prison, but I am not a criminal. My only ‘guilt’ is that I told the truth. I am ready to go into the fire for the truth. The main thing is to appear before Allah with a clear conscience.

Background

The journalist is the creator of the YouTube channel Ne Deidi? and had previously interviewed Mukhtar Ablyazov, the leader of the banned “Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan”* movement, banned in Kazakhstan.

One of the key accusations against Duman Mukhammedkarim was that he allegedly shared a link through which donations could be sent to Ablyazov.

Due to his deteriorating health, Mukhammedkarim has appealed for better detention conditions, citing serious kidney, liver, and bladder pain, as well as inadequate medical care and prolonged isolation.

Original Author: Asem Zhuken 

* In March 2018, a Kazakh court declared DVK an extremist organization; its activities have been prohibited throughout the country.