Abuse of power & retaliationPolice & jail misconductOversight & ethics enforcement
Kazakhstan has convicted dozens of police for January 2022 torture but not conducted a comprehensive investigation into the 238 deaths, rights groups say
Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesKazakhstan · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Prosecutor General's Office of Kazakhstan
Also named
Oversight
UN Human Rights Committee
Advocate
Human Rights Watch
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
What happened
Kazakhstan's official toll from the January 2022 protests is at least 238 dead, and the authorities acknowledged that six people died in custody from torture. FIDH reported in 2024 that around 30 law enforcement officers had been convicted for abuses linked to the events, and Human Rights Watch's 2026 report says six police officers received three-year sentences in January 2025, upheld on appeal, but that no comprehensive and effective investigation of the mass deaths has been carried out. In July 2025 the UN Human Rights Committee called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all torture allegations, including from January 2022.
Sources (3)
hrw.orgSix police officers found guilty of torture and sentenced to three years each; no comprehensive and effective investigation into the mass deaths.
FIDHOnly around 30 law enforcement officers have been convicted for abuses linked to the January 2022 Events; at least 238 deaths.
Azattyq (RFE/RL)Six people died under detention from torture during the January events; 29 law enforcement officers recognized as suspects.
Response
Prosecutor General's Office of Kazakhstan
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What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.