Detention of Vladimir Kozlov. Photo courtesy of the author. All rights reserved.In Kazakhstan, it’s easy enough to find yourself charged with extremism and terrorism offences. Being affiliated to a “non-traditional” religious denomination or belonging to the political opposition can lead to prosecution.
But people who face criminal prosecution on “extremism” and “terrorism” charges are subject to punishment even after release. A complex system of financial blacklisting means many find it difficult to return to their normal lives.
Extremist thoughts about God
Alexander Kharlamov is a human rights activist and public commentator who lives in Ridder, a small town in eastern Kazakhstan. In January 2013, Kharlamov, 63, was charged with “incitement to religious hatred” after sharing atheist views on his blog “The Global Party of True Communists”. Kharlamov was arrested later that year, on 17 March, after he continued publishing his thoughts on religious matters.
