Freedom for Eurasia expresses deep concern over the continued surveillance and intimidation of Kazakh journalist and human rights defender Natalya Sadykova, the widow of Aydos Sadykov, who was brutally murdered in Kyiv in the summer of 2024.
According to a message published on the BASE YouTube Channel, Sadykova reported that she has repeatedly noticed surveillance and was able to record one of the individuals following her. On the morning of 13 November 2025, she observed a man outside her home covertly filming her on his phone. Sadykova approached him and questioned his presence, during which he introduced himself as an “embassy employee” allegedly living on the same street. However, her residence is located far from the Embassy of Kazakhstan. Sadykova recorded the entire interaction on video and called the police.
Following the incident, Ukrainian police identified the individual as Rustem Alibekovich Sarsembekov, an officer of the Kazakh National Security Committee (KNB) who is reportedly in Ukraine under diplomatic cover.
This is not an isolated case. Sadykova has previously noticed similar surveillance both in Ukraine, where she lives in exile and abroad. It is also known that KNB officer Artur Murzakulov was identified as the handler who organized the assassination of Aydos Sadykov.
In her video message, Sadykova stated that the ongoing harassment affects not only her and her family but also undermines the safety and sovereignty of the country that granted her asylum. Her legal representative noted that the pattern of surveillance and monitoring of her movements may indicate preparations for another possible attack.
The incident raises serious concerns about threats to her life. It is particularly alarming as the murder of Aydos Sadykov was preceded by similar close surveillance by the Kazakh KNB. Now the same tactics are being directed against his widow.
Human rights defenders and colleagues following the case express grave concern for the safety of Natalya Sadykova and her children in Ukraine. Sadykova continues her professional work as a journalist, and such harassment, intimidation, and surveillance of media workers constitute a gross violation of international standards on press freedom and fundamental human rights principles.
Freedom for Eurasia urgently calls for attention to this incident and the systemic nature of the Kazakh KNB’s operations on Ukrainian territory. We demand an immediate end to the pressure and persecution of Natalya Sadykova and her family.
We express gratitude to the Ukrainian authorities for their efforts to investigate the assassination of Aidos Sadykov and further call on the Ukrainian authorities and international human rights organizations to take urgent steps to provide protective measures and ensure the safety of Sadykova and her children.