17 Kazakhstanis sentenced for terrorism: NSC reveals details

Tengrinews.kz — Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (NSC) reported on 17 people convicted of terrorism and extremism related crimes since the beginning of the year.

Sentences for participants in terrorist activity

One of those convicted was a resident of Almaty who traveled abroad in 2017 to take part in combat on the side of international terrorist organizations.

In 2025, he was detained abroad as part of joint operations with foreign partners and extradited to Kazakhstan.

The court found him guilty of participating in terrorist activity and sentenced him to 8 years in prison.

Another defendant, a resident of Kokshetau, left the country in 2013. While abroad, he spread online materials promoting terrorism and religious extremism.

As a result of a joint operation by the NSC and a foreign intelligence service, he was detained and brought back to Kazakhstan.

By court decision, he was found guilty of terrorism propaganda and inciting religious hatred and sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison.

Detentions and new investigations

During the same period, six people suspected of terrorist activity were detained in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Akmola Region, and Ulytau Region.

In addition, four other individuals already serving prison sentences were charged with terrorism propaganda and inciting religious hatred among other inmates.

According to the NSC, they distributed extremist materials online and among people around them, and also called for violence against those who did not share their views.

Pre-trial investigations are being conducted under Articles 174 and 256 of the Criminal Code.

Other information, in accordance with Part 1 of Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code, is not subject to disclosure.