Astana, Jan 5 (NationPress) A lawsuit initiated in Kazakhstan against Bekzat Maksutkhan, leader of the advocacy group Nagyz Atajurt Volunteers, along with 18 co-defendants, has sparked serious concerns surrounding the autonomy of the Kazakh legal framework. The charges include inciting “national (or ethnic) discord against the Chinese people,” according to a report released on Monday.

The report suggests that the prosecution may be acting on behalf of the Chinese government, without independently assessing the truthfulness of their claims.

Rune Steenberg, an anthropologist and writer for ‘Bitter Winter’, who studies the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and its people, expressed that this case raises suspicions that Chinese authorities could be leveraging the Kazakh legal system for their political agenda, including the suppression of dissent and the persecution of Kazakhs from Xinjiang residing outside China.

“To face accusations of inciting hatred or disrespecting the dignity of a people, one must express explicit hateful sentiments directed at that people collectively, not at any specific politician or the government's policies,” Steenberg remarked.

“Thus, for the accusations to hold up legally, there must be clear evidence showing expressions of hatred against the Chinese populace as a whole, not merely against the government or its policies,” he added.

The report highlighted that nearly all statements cited in the lawsuit refer to the imprisonment of Kazakh citizen Alimnur Turganbay by Chinese authorities in early 2025, indicating that the protests and gatherings organized by the advocacy group were primarily focused on this incident.

“The dissent expressed is aimed at the Chinese government for its actions against this individual, aligning with Atajurt’s past efforts to secure the release of other Kazakhs in Xinjiang who have reportedly been arbitrarily detained by the Chinese state,” it noted.

According to the report, none of the statements can be construed as inciting discord against any ethnic group, nor do they insult the national dignity of Chinese citizens. Furthermore, these statements do not amount to a serious criminal offense against peace and human security.

“On the contrary, they appear to advocate for the prevention of arbitrary detentions and the release of individuals believed to be wrongfully imprisoned. This stance is contrary to inciting discord or insulting anyone’s dignity; it calls for adherence to national and international laws,” the report concluded.