Human Rights Activist Speaks out about Kazakhstani Women in Iraqi Prison

Human rights activist Zhanna Umirova has spoken out about the efforts of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the case of Kazakhstani women imprisoned in Iraq, Orda.kz reports.

She noted that, despite official confirmation of their identities, Ministry officials still appear uncertain about the exact number of detainees and have yet to provide the legal documents needed to defend their rights.

How Many?

Zhanna Umirova, head of the public foundation Air of Freedom, responded to recent comments made by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin regarding the women. Rakhmetullin had stated that "possibly only two" of the women are Kazakhstan's citizens and claimed the Ministry had "recently learned" of the situation.

Umirova stated that there are precisely six citizens currently held in Rusafa prison in Iraq — a fact that has already been officially confirmed.

I saw that Foreign Ministry officials are saying perhaps only two out of six are citizens of Kazakhstan. He even mentioned eight people, but there are only six citizens of Kazakhstan in Rusafa prison. Not only do they have the numbers wrong, but they seem unaware of the women’s cases and sentences. It shows a careless attitude toward their own citizens.Umirova said. 

Umirova added that all six women have Kazakhstani identification numbers (IINs) and supporting documents proving their citizenship.

According to Zhanna Umirova, despite the press conference in Astana and media coverage, there has been no real progress on securing the women's release.

She said she has been in contact with Kazakhstan's consul Rustam Zhumatov since 2022. At the time, he asked her to help collect documents from the prisoners—specifically, handwritten statements from each woman recorded and verified on video.

At first, Consul Rustam Zhumatov asked me to collect all the necessary documents —that is, for our citizens to personally write statements addressed to him. All six citizens of Kazakhstan recorded videos to confirm that they were writing the statements. One of them was even in a punishment cell but still managed to film a message. This was extremely difficult under Iraqi prison conditions, but since it concerned their freedom, they did it. 

Despite this, the consul never visited the prison, though he reportedly promised to do so before Ramadan in 2025.

At the beginning of March, I reached out to him again. He said he was still waiting for permission to travel. I find it strange that a consul needs consent. In fact, he is an authorized official — he has the authority and the right to visit correctional facilities and check on the well-being of our citizens. But for some reason, he’s not doing it. 

She also emphasized that a consular power of attorney — something the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the authority to issue — is necessary to represent the imprisoned women in Iraqi and Kazakh courts legally.

We’re only asking for a power of attorney so the consul can visit the women, who have given their consent for me to represent them in court. But for some reason, we still haven’t been given that authorization.

Six Sentenced to Life

In response to an official inquiry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not address the deputy Minister’s statements regarding the prisoners’ citizenship. However, the Ministry confirmed that six Kazakhstani women are indeed serving life sentences in Iraq.

 They were convicted of participating in the terrorist organization DAISH (ISIS*), banned in Kazakhstan.

The citizenship of these individuals was confirmed by Kazakhstan’s internal affairs agencies based on valid documents. During the criminal proceedings, the citizens of Kazakhstan admitted to illegally crossing Iraq’s state border. Their statements were made in the presence of the Iraqi state prosecutor and a court-appointed lawyer. However, they did not agree with the charges brought against them by the Federal Court of Appeal in Baghdad.the Foreign Ministry said in an official response. 

The Foreign Ministry assures that Kazakhstan’s Embassy in Jordan has been providing consular and legal assistance to convicted compatriots in Iraq since receiving official notification of the sentences.

The last visit by a Kazakhstan consul to the correctional facility occurred in September 2023. A follow-up visit planned for 2024 was canceled due to the unstable military and political situation in the region. Another visit, including an inspection of the detainees' conditions, is being planned for 2025 and is currently under discussion with the Iraqi authorities. 

The Ministry also noted that Kazakhstan has been trying to negotiate a prisoner transfer agreement with Iraq since 2020, but Iraqi authorities are still reviewing the draft deal.

Six women from Kazakhstan have been serving life sentences in a Baghdad prison for the past eight years, convicted of aiding terrorism.

Human rights activists argue that the investigation and trial were deeply flawed, with the women reportedly lacking legal representation. In February, they once again appealed to the Kazakh authorities for assistance.

Original author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova

* Terrorist organization recognized as extremist in Kazakhstan: ISIS (Islamic State, by decision of the court of the Yesil district of Astana dated October 15, 2015)