Astana, February 11 – Officials in Kazakhstan have denied asylum to Russian activist Yulia Yemelyanova, who was associated with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The announcement came from the Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday, with Deputy Prosecutor General Koigeldiyev Galymzhan stating that Yemelyanova was wanted in Russia for theft and that her asylum request was not justified. He noted that she did not appeal the decision.
Galymzhan mentioned that the country rarely grants asylum, highlighting the thorough examination of requests done in consultation with human rights organizations. However, he also acknowledged the complexities surrounding extradition procedures. Reports from the human rights group Russian Anti-War Committee confirm that an agreement to extradite Yemelyanova to Russia has been made.
Yemelyanova was arrested at Almaty airport in September 2025 and has since faced extradition rulings. According to the Russian Anti-War Committee, procedural issues have arisen, claiming that Yemelyanova’s asylum application was still under consideration at the time of her extradition. Lawyer Margarita Kukusheva from AK Consul remarked that this represents a concerning trend, noting that it’s the fourth case of expedited extradition without adequate procedural safeguards.
Since January, Kazakhstan has reportedly extradited three other Russian citizens due to political charges, including a Chechen activist and a Russian army deserter. Yemelyanova is accused in Russia of stealing a mobile phone valued at approximately $155 from a taxi driver in St. Petersburg in 2021.
This situation underscores the troubling conditions faced by political activists in the region. The ongoing actions by Kazakhstan could indicate a broader trend of political repression that raises concerns among international human rights advocates.