Torokul Doorov

As it was well expected, president Qassym-Jomart Toqaev announced a parliamentary elections this summer. Kazakhstan will hold elections for the National Kurultai (parliament's new name) this August. azattyq.org/a/tamyz-aiynda…

Kazakh ‘Me Too’ Story. A woman seeks justice 30 years after alleged rape, police launched investigation. Here is our exclusive interview with Natasha Kalimbetova. youtube.com/watch?v=Gah20u…

Kazakhstan is moving to tighten control over psychologists. A bill would require certification and a national registry to verify qualifications. Supporters say it will improve care, critics warn of greater state control. MP’s opinion: “God forbid going to a psychologist!”

In Kazakhstan, prosecutors have asked 5-year prison sentences for half of 18 Atajurt activists charged after a protest over detained ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang, China. Court verdicts might be announced today. @hrw @AmnestyEECA @HughAWilliamson azattyq.org/a/atazhurt-bel…

Could Kazakhstan president Qassym-Jomart Toqaev be thinking about leading the UN? He says he will stay in power until 2029, but talk is growing because of recent reforms, upcoming UN deadlines, and his past UN job. @zholdasorisb explains youtu.be/uMowBFra0zc?is…

Arrest of Botagoz Omarova is sparking backlash over Kazakhstan's “fake news” law, with critics warning it threatens press freedom, officials say it is needed to fight misinformation. Calls are growing to decriminalize the law and protect press freedom. azattyq.org/a/botagoz-omar…

Kazakhstan’s referendum on a new constitution passed with 86% support, according to exit polls. President Qassym-Jomat Toqaev said the country made a “historic choice” and announced parliamentary elections this summer. Critics say the process was rushed. azattyq.org/a/33707233.html

Journalists Detained As Kazakhstan Holds Controversial Referendum rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-c…

Astana police detained RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service journalist Zholdas Orisbayev several minutes ago at a polling station in Astana. Kazakhstan is holding a referendum on a new constitution today. t.me/azattyq/33193

@MaryanKushnir So here is the full Kazakh version of the film: youtube.com/watch?v=wJXzsh…

Highly recommend this documentary to watch! We are working on a Kazakh version of it currently. Great work from our brave colleague @MaryanKushnir! youtu.be/tbp-feN95OU?si…

Kazakh journalists from the "Just Journalism" YouTube channel Lukpan Akhmediyarov and Raul Uporov are detained today at Astana airport for "conversation with the officer of the National Security Service" after returning from Ukraine: azattyq.org/a/astana-auezh…

Kazakhstan's cyberspace has learned an unexpected lesson: asking your followers a simple civic question comes at a cost. It also spurred creativity. rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-c…

Referendum on the new Constitution in Kazakhstan will take place next month - on March 15. azattyq.org/a/zhana-konsti…

Analysis: Three Decades of Parliamentary Reform in Central Asia — and What Changed timesca.com/analysis-three…

Had to run away from Bishkek’s smog.

Following a high-profile summit in Washington with all five Central Asian leaders, Kazakh President @TokayevKZ arrived in Moscow to reaffirm ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. rferl.org/a/putin-kazahs…

China’s surveillance technology is becoming the backbone of Kazakhstan’s digital future. What does that mean for privacy and activism in the Central Asian country? Excellent reporting by @RFERL journalists @zholdasorisb and @ReidStan azattyq.org/a/tsifrlandyru…

Leaked Doc Reveals Propaganda Plan in Kazakhstan. @AzattyqRadiosy obtained a media strategy showing how the govt coordinates messaging via state TV, private media & social platforms. Officials deny it, but insiders say it’s in use. By @zholdasorisb azattyq.org/a/toqaevty-uly…

As Kazakhstan marks 30 years since adopting its Constitution, calls to update it are growing. Two alternative draft constitutions have even been published. We spoke with legal experts and asked MPs and analysts for their views. azattyq.org/a/qazaqstanga-…