We present an overview of the situation regarding the rights of journalists and the media in Kazakhstan in July–September 2026.
In the third quarter of 2026, the situation for freedom of expression and independent media in Kazakhstan remained tense. Amid preparations for and the holding of elections to the Kurultai, journalists faced criminal prosecution, restrictions on their professional activities, barriers to public events and information, and further cases of blocking and cyberattacks targeting independent media. International and Kazakhstani human rights organisations reported increased pressure on independent journalism, linking it to a series of criminal cases, restrictions on professional activities and digital attacks.
One of the quarter’s most notable trends was the combination of legal and administrative pressure with restrictions on journalists’ professional activities. Between July and September, journalists Aset Mataev, Amir Kassenov, Alexandra Alyokhova and Gulnara Bazhkenova received guilty verdicts accompanied by bans on journalistic and public activities. Radio Azattyq journalists risked losing their accreditation. Lukpan Akhmedyarov was barred from leaving Kazakhstan; he linked the restriction to a criminal investigation.
Pressure in the digital sphere intensified in parallel. Newsrooms and journalists reported account blocks, content removals, mass complaints, phishing campaigns, hacking and DDoS attacks. In September, clone websites impersonating independent media outlets appeared with fabricated publications. Thus, in the third quarter, restrictions affected the legal, professional and digital environments in which the media operate, pointing to the multi-layered nature of the pressure on independent journalism.
1. General situation (adoption of new laws, statements by public figures, introduction of new rules)
“Unfree” Kazakhstan: online pressure and censorship — Freedom House classified Kazakhstan as “not free,” giving it a score of 37 out of 100. The score rose by three points compared with the previous year, but the country remained in the category of states where internet freedom is suppressed.
The Ministry of Culture allocated nearly KZT 350 million to create a unified media platform — The system is intended to handle journalist accreditation, competitions for state grants and interaction between newsrooms and government agencies. The platform is part of the controversial Mass Media Law, which has drawn criticism from the journalistic community.
Culture Ministry warns media and bloggers of fines ahead of elections — The Ministry of Culture and Information reminded media and bloggers of the rules governing election campaigning and the penalties for violations.
Bot farms in Kazakhstan: why they remain impossible to defeat — Experts reported the use of networks of fake accounts to manipulate public opinion and spread propaganda.
The Digital Code came into force on 12 July — The authorities describe it as the foundation of a new digital environment and say it enshrines digital rights, including the right to control personal data, delete it and restrict its processing, as well as the right to review decisions made by automated systems and AI.
OSCE/ODIHR publishes interim report on preparations for the Kurultai elections — On 7 August, OSCE/ODIHR reported state influence over Kazakhstan’s media market, cases of pressure on independent journalists and the spread of self-censorship. The report also noted restrictions on political pluralism.
Human rights organisations call on authorities to stop pressuring independent journalists ahead of Kurultai elections — On 23 August, nine international and Kazakhstani human rights organisations urged the authorities to end pressure on independent journalists. The statement referred to criminal cases involving Dinara Yegubaeva and Lukpan Akhmedyarov, the sentence handed down to Alexandra Alyokhova and the arrest of Azamat Omarov.
CPJ says Gulnara Bazhenova’s sentence marks increased pressure on independent media — On 19 August, the Committee to Protect Journalists responded to the sentence imposed on journalist Gulnara Bazhenova. On 18 August, an Almaty court sentenced her to eight years in prison and banned her for five years from journalism, blogging and several other media-related activities.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warns of new risks associated with artificial intelligence — On 28 August, Kazakhstan’s president noted emerging threats linked to AI development and the need to account for technological change when shaping the future international security system.
CPJ urges Kazakhstan to lift travel ban on journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov — On 5 August, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on the authorities to lift the travel ban on Akhmedyarov and stop pressuring him. Days earlier, he had been prevented from leaving Kazakhstan when he tried to fly to Montenegro with his family.
Changes to media access and working arrangements in the Government of Kazakhstan building — Since August, media representatives have been barred from the government meeting room and a press centre has been set up for journalists. Journalists, photographers and camera operators have also lost the freedom to move around the building and must work in designated rooms, receiving information about events through the press service. Human rights and media organisations said the new restrictions raised concerns about the legal certainty and predictability of the requirements.
Kazakhstan plans to amend accreditation rules for foreign media — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed changes to the accreditation rules for foreign media bureaus. The ministry said the changes were organisational and aimed at streamlining procedures in line with international practice. It also said that media independence and transparent accreditation conditions should be ensured when implementing the proposal.
Legal Media Center reports a series of attacks on independent media — On 17 September, the Legal Media Center reported journalists’ accounts being blocked and content removed from independent news resources. The organisation raised questions about who might be behind these actions and how government agencies had responded.
Kurultai considers amendments to media legislation — One proposed amendment would ban users under 16 from registering on online platforms, while exempting messaging apps. Other proposals include extending certain defamation and minor hooliganism provisions to online platforms; fining platform owners and representatives for failing to comply with orders from the authorised body; restricting access to platforms for non-compliance; creating a register of users and moderators of public communities with more than 5,000 followers; requiring identifying information for inclusion in the register; empowering the authorised body to approve rules for media monitoring and restricting access to online resources; and requiring media outlets to label responses published from government agencies.
2. Legal pressure (lawsuits, pre-trial claims, arrests and detentions)
Court rejects Legal Media Center’s lawsuit against Kazakhstan’s Culture Ministry — The dispute concerned the refusal to disclose the total amount of state grants allocated to non-state media. The ministry cited the Rules on classifying information as “For Official Use Only.” The NGO’s argument that information about public spending should be accessible to citizens under the Constitution and the access-to-information law was not addressed.
Journalist Azamat Omarov detained — A court authorised his two-month pre-trial detention under Article 174 of the Criminal Code (incitement of discord). The defence said the journalist denied the charge. Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva said satire itself is not an offence and that Omarov’s case concerned alleged signs of incitement of discord. Omarov was later released in the courtroom after a judgment was issued under a procedural agreement. He received a suspended sentence of three and a half years and was banned from publishing material for five years. The criminal case was opened under Article 174 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code.
Trial of Gulnara Bazhenova begins in Almaty — Proceedings against Gulnara Bazhenova, former head and director of ORDA, began on 1 July. She was charged with illegal business activity, embezzlement of entrusted property and disseminating false information. Bazhenova pleaded not guilty. The claimant, Maksat Ganiyev, filed a civil suit seeking more than KZT 88 million in damages.
KazTAG executives receive restricted-freedom sentences in Freedom Finance case — On 31 July, Almaty’s Almaly District Court issued its verdict in the case against KazTAG news agency executives. Aset Mataev received three and a half years of restricted freedom and a three-year ban on professional and public activities. Amir Kassenov received one year and three months of restricted freedom and a five-year ban on journalistic work. The court also upheld a civil claim and ordered payment of approximately KZT 200 million in damages.
Alexandra Alyokhova sentenced to three years in prison, with enforcement deferred — On 3 August, Almaty’s Almaly District Court issued its verdict against journalist Alexandra Alyokhova in a closed hearing. The court found her guilty under Article 147(5) of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code and sentenced her to three years in prison, with enforcement deferred for five years. It also banned her from journalistic activity for three years.
Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva said her ministry had no right to interfere with the administration of justice or court proceedings. She urged the public to await the appellate court’s decision.
Dinara Yegubaeva reports criminal investigation following road accident — On 4 August, the journalist said a pre-trial investigation had been opened into a road accident involving her car and a cyclist. The investigation is being conducted under Article 345(1) of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code. Yegubaeva was granted witness status with the right to legal protection.
Olesya Vertinskaya reports threats against herself and her family — On 14 August, the journalist and civic activist from Atyrau posted a video statement describing a threat that she said concerned her and members of her family. Vertinskaya had previously reported pressure and persecution related to her journalistic and public activities.
Agricultural research centre employees challenge online publications — The Interdistrict Civil Court of Astana is hearing a lawsuit brought by employees of the A. I. Barayev Research and Production Centre for Grain Farming against Gulnar Kabdina, sole proprietor Attila, Kirill Pavlov and the Anti-Corruption Foundation-Bureau. The claim was prompted by online publications, including an article titled “Who is extinguishing the light of Kazakhstan’s agricultural science?” The plaintiffs dispute claims concerning alleged financial misconduct, pressure on staff, demands to include fictitious data in reports, the creation of a fictitious electronic invoice, property transactions and other matters related to their work. They ask the court to declare the information false and damaging to their honour, dignity and business reputation, remove the publications and publish a retraction, and award KZT 2 million in moral damages plus legal costs.
Cassation court upholds rulings in Press.kz case — The Civil Cassation Court upheld earlier rulings in a case concerning the protection of honour and dignity involving Press.kz. The dispute arose from a publication that described a person serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of a minor as a “paedophile.” The claimant sought to have the statement declared false and defamatory, citing, among other things, the absence of a medical diagnosis of paedophilia. According to an expert’s findings, the word “paedophile” in the disputed article was used to describe a person who had committed a sexual offence against a minor.
3. Obstruction of journalists’ professional activities (beatings, threats, attacks, bans on filming, denial of access to events)
Lukpan Akhmedyarov denied replacement of his driving licence because he is wanted in Russia — On 27 August, a specialised public service centre refused to replace the journalist’s driving licence, citing his listing on an interstate wanted list at the request of Russia’s Interior Ministry. Akhmedyarov later reapplied and received a notice that his new licence was ready.
Journalists report restrictions while covering Adiletkhan Moldakhan’s trial — During a hearing at Almaty’s Almaly District Court, journalists said they could not leave the premises after the proceedings because the door had been locked from the outside. The court said no one had been detained and that the problem was caused by a faulty door handle.
Vlast journalist reports obstruction while covering party congress — On 9 July, the chief editor of Vlast’s bureau in the capital said journalists had been asked to leave the hall during the congress and that, at the end of the event, the door was blocked by a table.
Journalist Zhanna Baitelova denied access to an open court hearing — On 14 July, the journalist reported that media representatives were not allowed into a hearing in the case of Tatyana Belova at Almaty City Court, despite the proceedings being open.
Azattyq warns it could lose accredited journalists ahead of elections — On 17 July, Torokul Doorov, editor-in-chief of Azattyq’s Kazakhstan bureau, said the accreditation of 11 staff members had expired and the Foreign Ministry had extended consideration of their applications by four months, until mid-November.
Olzhas Duisenov environmentalist trial: journalist reports restrictions on press coverage — Journalist Vadim Boreiko said a camera operator was initially going to be barred from the hearing and was later restricted from filming, including being prohibited from filming the judge and the injured parties.
Unknown individuals splash paint on Lukpan Akhmedyarov’s car — On 24 July, unknown individuals splashed paint on the journalist’s car in Astana. Akhmedyarov said surveillance cameras were present and that, after he contacted the police, he was told to come in person to file a report.
Khabar journalist offered KZT 1 million to remove a publication — Journalist Ardak Aibaruly said he had been offered KZT 1 million to remove a report about an appointment in the healthcare system of Almaty Region. He said he rejected the offer. The head of the health department said he had not been aware of the incident.
Journalists’ access to MPs restricted in Kurultai lobby — On 28 August, after the first plenary session of the Kurultai, journalists’ free access to MPs was restricted and they were told to ask questions in a designated press centre. Human rights and journalistic organisations said the new restrictions were not reflected in the published accreditation rules.
Unknown individuals slash Hronika.kz correspondent’s tyres in Pavlodar — In Pavlodar, unknown individuals damaged the car of Hronika.kz correspondent Olga Voronko and also doused it with green paint. The outlet linked the incident to the journalist’s professional work and publications but did not claim to know who was responsible.
Journalist Aizhan Auelbekova reports police actions involving her and her relatives — Auelbekova was summoned to the police over the dissemination of false information and unlawful content. The administrative case was closed because there were no grounds for an offence.
4. Restrictions and threats in the digital environment (blocking, content removal, hacking and DDoS attacks)
Vadim Boreiko warns of phishing messages sent in his name — The author of the Hyperborei YouTube channel reported messages containing a link to a website that, he said, could be used to compromise users’ data. Boreiko urged people not to click the link.
Azattyq reports access problems to its websites from Kazakhstan — Torokul Doorov, head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kazakh Service, said access problems affecting the Azattyq Radiosy and Radio Azattyq websites were continuing. According to him, the problems began on 18 May, while the Kazakhstani government says it is not involved in restricting access.
Otkir Kurek account deleted, journalists’ pages blocked — Nazymgul Kumyspayeva reported that the Otkir Kurek account had been deleted and her Facebook page blocked.
Kanat Iskakov comments on blocking of Legal Media Center staff accounts — On 21 August, the first vice-minister of culture and information said the ministry had nothing to do with the blocking of foundation staff accounts. The Legal Media Center had previously linked the restrictions to complaints about its coverage of court proceedings involving the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov reports WhatsApp and Instagram account blocks — The journalist said his WhatsApp and Instagram accounts had been blocked and that he was also experiencing problems accessing Facebook. On 3 July, he also reported being unable to obtain a new passport at an Astana public service centre, linking this to a possible wanted notice issued at Russia’s request.
KazTAG employees’ WhatsApp accounts hacked — Agency employees Alyona Subbotina, Dilnaz Abdulbakieva and Liliya Galeeva reported that their WhatsApp accounts had been hacked. The newsroom said the employees were working to restore access.
Uralskaya Nedelya reports blocking of newsroom Instagram accounts — On 8 July, editor-in-chief Tamara Yeslyamova said two accounts had been blocked after the outlet published an article about resetting the presidential term and a user complained about the publication.
Irina Petrushova reports mass spam attack through phone calls — The editor-in-chief of Respublika.kz reported receiving mass calls over four days. According to her, the number of calls reached the thousands.
Nasha Gazeta reports attack on Instagram account and demands for money — On 8 July, the newsroom reported mass copyright complaints, removal of posts and a demand for payment in exchange for stopping the attacks and restoring the account.
Respublika reports further YouTube video removals — On 12 July, the newsroom said two more videos had been removed. The total number of deleted videos reached five, and the channel received three warnings from YouTube.
Elmedia reports deletion of its official Facebook page — On 15 July, the newsroom said that after Gulzhan Yergaliyeva’s account was deleted, Elmedia’s official page was also removed. According to the newsroom, the block followed a copyright complaint submitted from a clone page created by malicious actors.
Meta blocks accounts belonging to Lukpan Akhmedyarov, Raul Uporov and lawyer Tolegen Shaikov — On 28 July, Akhmedyarov reported that his Facebook accounts had been blocked. According to him, journalist Raul Uporov and lawyer Tolegen Shaikov were also affected.
Fake messages circulated on Telegram in Vadim Boreiko’s name — On 28 July, Irina Petrushova reported messages from fake Telegram accounts claiming that Vadim Boreiko’s account had been hacked. She said the journalist’s account had not been compromised.
Orda.kz reports phishing campaigns and blocks on newsroom accounts — On 1 August, the newsroom reported suspicious emails and messages containing links and attachments, as well as attempts to gain access to employees’ phone numbers and WhatsApp accounts. Earlier, on 31 July, Orda.kz’s TikTok account had been blocked, and on 1 August Facebook temporarily blocked the newsroom’s page following a copyright complaint.
Instagram blocks journalist Daniyar Nauryz’s account — On 20 August, the journalist said his account had been blocked following a copyright complaint concerning a historical photograph. Nauryz challenged the complaint, but Meta rejected his appeal.
Legal Media Center reports mass bot attack on its Instagram page — On 25 August, the organisation reported more than 1,000 identical comments under five election-related posts. The comments contained suspicious links and information about Vadim Boreiko. The organisation temporarily disabled comments because of the attack.
Caravan.kz reports cyberattack on the outlet’s information systems — The attack targeted the website server and parts of the corporate network, temporarily suspending the website’s operation. After detecting the incident, technical specialists worked to contain it, audit the systems and restore the resource. According to the newsroom, individuals identifying themselves as the Black Field group demanded a ransom and threatened to publish copied or falsified corporate and personal data.
Exclusive.kz reports clone websites and DDoS attacks targeting the outlet — On 23 September 2026, Exclusive.kz reported discovering at least three clone websites carrying a fabricated article about Azat Peruashev, former chair of the Ak Zhol party. According to the outlet, DDoS attacks on Exclusive.kz began on 15 September before the clone sites appeared. Two clone domains were registered on 16 September and another on 21 September. All three used the same registrar and the same pair of Cloudflare DNS servers. The newsroom was unable to identify the site owners using publicly available registration data.
5. Access to information and censorship (refusals to provide information, ignoring requests, incomplete answers and evasive responses)
Journalists unable to obtain comments from Adilet party leadership at congress — At the party’s third congress, 186 candidates for future Kurultai seats were announced. Journalists wanted to question party chair Aibek Dadebay, but he did not attend the press conference, and other party representatives were unable to answer questions about the candidates.
Askhat Niyazov reports obstruction of journalists at Adilet party congress — On 11 July, the journalist said party leaders entered and left the hall through a separate entrance inaccessible to the media. According to Niyazov, journalists could not obtain comments from the leadership either before or after the congress.
Exclusive.kz reports that change of ownership of a property in Karaganda was classified — On 13 July, the outlet reported that the Saryarka Social and Entrepreneurial Corporation had refused to disclose information about the transfer of a property and its subsequent use, classifying the relevant information and documents as “For Official Use Only.”
Journalist Askhat Niyazov not given promised interview with Almaty akim — On 5 August, the journalist reported repeated postponements of a meeting with Almaty Mayor Darkhan Satybaldy. According to Niyazov, after months of requests and visits to the akimat, he was given a book of Abai’s works instead of an interview. At the time of publication, the akimat had not issued an official comment.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin leaves briefing early — On 23 September, a media briefing at the Kurultai featuring Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and MPs Kairat Aituganov and Gulnaz Atamkulova ended early. Forty minutes after it began, the press service told the MPs they needed to return to the chamber. Five minutes later, Zhumangarin left the briefing. According to Ulysmedia.kz, nearly half of the journalists present had not had a chance to ask their questions.
Journalist’s questions about payments to families of deceased service members go unanswered at Kurultai briefing — At a press conference following a Kurultai session, the moderator twice said the journalist’s questions were unrelated to the event’s topic.
The first question concerned KZT 146 million collected by MPs for the families of service members who died during exercises in Mangystau Region. No specific answer was given about when the funds would be transferred. When the journalist tried to clarify the timing, the moderator interrupted.
Image generated using AI.