Kazakh Activist Margulan Boranbay Released from Prison

Kazakh activist Margulan Boranbay has been released from prison after serving a sentence for inciting ethnic discord and calling for changes to the constitutional order through posts on Facebook, Orda.kz reports.

Majilis deputy Yermurat Bapi shared news of Boranbay’s release on his Facebook page. The lawmaker stated that Boranbay endured imprisonment for standing up for Kazakhstan’s independence and the dignity of the Kazakh people.

Margulan Boranbay left prison and came to visit his older brother. Last fall, Serikzhan and I went to the colony to visit him, offering: 'Let's help you get out on parole...' But Margulan, who ended up in prison on a false charge for defending the honor of the Kazakh people from chauvinist 'vatniks', said: 'I have nothing to apologize to anyone for, I'll serve from bell to bell.' If anyone asks who the real national patriot of the Kazakh people is, don't hesitate to name him Margulan, you won't be mistaken,
writes Yermurat Bapi. 

In March 2022, Boranbay and fellow activist Danat Namazbayev were convicted under Article 174 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan (inciting discord) and Article 179 (public calls to seize or retain power).

Namazbayev received a five-year sentence, while Boranbay was sentenced to five years and two months. The appellate court later upheld both verdicts.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya