Kazakhstan: Two Sentenced for Extremism in Separate Cases

Two individuals from different regions of Kazakhstan have been sentenced to nine years in prison on extremism-related charges, Orda.kz reports, citing the National Security Committee (KNB).

The first case involved a resident of the Aqtobe region, who was convicted of recruiting for participation in foreign conflicts and illegally storing weapons.

He called on those around him to participate in military operations abroad on the side of terrorists and planned to join them himself,  the KNB statement reads.

A search of the individual’s property uncovered a large cache of weapons and equipment, including two machine guns, eight pistols, eight rifles, three sawed-off shotguns, six walkie-talkies with concealed headsets, three smoke bombs, a flash-bang grenade, and 581 rounds of ammunition.

In a separate case, a resident of Kaskelen received the same sentence of nine years.

He planned to create a terrorist group to commit terrorist attacks in Kazakhstan. He instilled the ideology of terrorism in other believers and tried to recruit them, the KNB said in a statement.

According to the agency, 34 people — among them two foreign nationals — have been convicted on terrorism and extremism-related charges since the beginning of 2025.

Another 23 individuals are currently under investigation.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported on a Kazakhstani woman who returned from Syria and was sentenced for extremism-related offenses.

Original Author: Igor Ulitin