Indira Muratova, the wife of Karakalpak political prisoner Akylbek Muratbai (Muratov), has come forward with troubling allegations of harassment by a detention center officer when she visits her husband. Muratbai, a prominent activist, has been held in pre-trial detention in Almaty for over 11 months.
According to Indira, during her visits in November and December 2024, a facility staff member named Rinat (or Renat), whose duties include escorting detainees to visitation rooms, repeatedly behaved inappropriately. On two occasions in November, the officer requested Indira’s phone number under the pretense of wanting to get to know her. Despite her immediate refusals and clear statements that she is married, the officer ignored her rejection and continued his advances.
In a December incident, the officer escalated his behavior by attempting to hand Indira a folded piece of paper with his personal phone number. Indira rejected the note and voiced her objections loudly, which visibly alarmed the officer, prompting him to ask her to lower her voice. His whispered tone during these interactions suggests he was aware of the unlawful nature of his actions and was trying to hide them from colleagues and others nearby.
Harassment Amid Inspections and Systemic Oversight Issues
These incidents occurred during an inspection by the Committee of the Penal Correction System, raising serious concerns about the officer’s sense of impunity and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms within the facility.
“This behavior is deeply inappropriate and unacceptable, especially in an institution where staff are entrusted to uphold professional and ethical standards. Such harassment not only violates my rights but also undermines the integrity of the institution. I urge the relevant authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure accountability,”Indira said.
Indira also expressed broader concerns about the safety and security of women in similar facilities.:“If such behavior can occur openly in visitation corridors, one must question what happens behind the closed doors of these institutions.” She emphasized that no female detainee or staff member should ever face inappropriate attention or harassment from male personnel.
Akylbek Muratbai, a leader of the Karakalpak diaspora, was arrested in Kazakhstan in February 2024 at the request of Uzbek authorities. His detention stems from politically motivated charges related to his advocacy for human rights in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and his reporting on the violent suppression of protests in the region, which is part of Uzbekistan.
Muratbai’s arrest is a part of a broader campaign by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his administration to silence dissent.
This incident highlights the urgent need for greater accountability in Kazakhstan’s detention facilities. Harassment and misconduct by state officials must be addressed to protect the fundamental rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly women, who are often more vulnerable to such abuse. The international community must also remain vigilant in holding both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan accountable for human rights violations against activists like Akylbek Muratbai and their families.
