Supermarathon runner and leader of the unregistered party "Alga, Kazakhstan!" Marat Zhylanbayev, who was sentenced to seven years in prison, has declared an indefinite hunger strike. This was reported by Radio Azattyk, citing his lawyer.
Meirzhan Doskarayev met with his client in institution No. 4 in the city of Stepnogorsk. According to him, the activist has been refusing to eat since November 13. The defense attorney reports that Zhylanbayev complains about unsatisfactory sanitary conditions, poor quality food, and the inability to call his lawyer and friends.
Institution No. 4 of the Department of the Criminal-Executive System (DCEIS) of Akmola Region did not provide a comment.
In July, the institution's administration denied any pressure on Zhylanbaev.
The KUIS previously reported that representatives of government agencies and non-governmental organizations met with Zhylanbaev on several occasions, and in conversations with them, the marathon runner spoke about the satisfactory conditions in the colony, where video surveillance is provided around the clock.
On October 21, Zhylanbayev was released from a disciplinary cell at a facility in Stepnogorsk, ending a 40-day hunger strike. He had been on hunger strike since July, protesting his detention conditions and demanding that his rights be respected. His supporters estimate that he has been on hunger strike for 170 days since his detention in July 2023.
The verdict of Marat Zhylanbaev
In November 2023, a court in Astana sentenced Marat Zhylanbayev to seven years in prison. He was charged with “financing extremist activity” and “participation in a banned organization” DVK (the unregistered movement “Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan”, created by exiled opposition leader Mukhtar Ablyazov, was declared an “extremist organization” by the authorities and banned in Kazakhstan; in European Parliament resolutions it is listed as a peaceful opposition).
Marat Zhylanbayev did not admit guilt. Human rights activists added him to the list of political prisoners. Zhylanbayev and his supporters believe that the criminal case against him is fabricated.
On January 19, the Astana City Court left Marat Zhylanbaev’s sentence unchanged.
Marat Zhylanbayev is a world-famous ultramarathon runner and civil activist. Before his arrest in May 2023, he participated in rallies, together with like-minded people, submitted documents to the Ministry of Justice to register the opposition party "Alga, Kazakhstan!" and ran for the Majilis.
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Cover: Photo from open sources
