Aqylbek Muratov
2024 arrest
### 2024 arrest

At around 10:00pm on 15 February 2024, Muratov was detained by local police in Almaty at the request of Uzbekistani authorities; Freedom for Eurasia later reported that the officers had been led by a police officer from Uzbekistan. The week prior, Muratov had been invited to a voluntary interview with Kazakhstani police, but had been unable to attend. Muratov's arrest came a year after four prominent Karakalpak activists had been arrested in Kazakhstan.

On 16 February, a spokesperson for the Almaty police stated that a decision to extradite Muratov to Uzbekistan was pending and that they were awaiting a decision from Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General. Local media reported that Uzbekistani authorities had accused Muratov of the "production, storage, distribution or display of materials containing a threat to public safety and public order", in breach of article 244 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code.

On 17 February following a court appearance, Muratov was transferred to a temporary detention facility in Almaty for an initial period of 40 days. Muratov's lawyer, Inara Masanova, claimed that she had been prohibited from attending the hearing.

On 23 February, Muratov was granted [asylum seeker](/wiki/Asylum_seeker "Asylum seeker") status by the Kazakhstani government.

On 20 March, a court in Almaty extended Muratov's detention until February 2025\.

#### Response

Freedom for Eurasia issued a statement on 15 February 2024 condemning Muratov's arrest and calling on Kazakhstani authorities to protect his "fundamental rights" and to immediately release him. [Front Line Defenders](/wiki/Front_Line_Defenders "Front Line Defenders") accused the Uzbekistani government of targeting Muratov due to his human rights work. The [Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law](/wiki/Kazakhstan_International_Bureau_for_Human_Rights_and_Rule_of_Law "Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law") announced that they would provide Muratov with legal assistance to fight against his extradition. [UN Special Rapporteur](/wiki/United_Nations_special_rapporteur "United Nations special rapporteur") [Mary Lawlor](/wiki/Mary_Lawlor_%28human_rights_advocate%29 "Mary Lawlor (human rights advocate)") called on Uzbekistan to provide Aqylbek Muratbai with a lawyer and release him.


How many Karakalpak activists had been arrested in Kazakhstan before Muratov's arrest?