Ethnic Kazakh writer Nagyz Muhammed has been convicted of “separatism” for gathering with his friends on Kazakhstan Independence Day, expressing opinions on Xinjiang’s “bilingual education” policy and encouraging Kazakhs living in Xinjiang to move to Kazakhstan. Refusing to plead guilty, Nagyz Muhammed testified in court that he had been beaten and burned by cigarette butts during interrogations. Sentenced to life imprisonment in September 2020, there are grave concerns for Nagyz Muhammed’s wellbeing.
