Maksat Duisenov
Protection from extradition from Germany. Former chief transport prosecutor of Kazakhstan.
Maksat Duisenov tells the story in their own words
Situation
What happened
Maksat Duisenov is the former chief transport prosecutor of Kazakhstan and a close associate of Kairat Kozhamzharov, the country's former Prosecutor General. After a change of political leadership in Kazakhstan, a criminal case was opened against Duisenov — charges of fraud, bribery, and money laundering. According to Duisenov himself, the case is politically motivated: it emerged right after Kozhamzharov's dismissal and targets his entire team. Kazakh authorities filed a request with Interpol, and Duisenov was detained in the German city of Fürth. ARGA took on full legal representation to protect him from extradition.
Key challenges of the case
- Detention in Germany on an Interpol request — an immediate extradition threat
- A bilateral extradition treaty exists between Germany and Kazakhstan
- The political nature of the criminal case had to be proven to German legal standards
- Kazakh authorities pressured German institutions and tried to block Duisenov's interview on ARGA's YouTube channel
- High media attention — the case drew international press coverage
Strategy and work
How ARGA worked
Emergency response upon detention
After the detention in Fürth, ARGA immediately engaged partner lawyers in Germany. A bail application was filed and preparation of the legal position on the merits of the extradition request began.
Legal analysis and evidence base
ARGA closely examined the Kazakh extradition request and identified violations: the political nature of the prosecution, a chronological link between the charges and the change of power, and a lack of proper evidence for the charges brought.
Preparing the position for the German court
A legal position was built proving the politically motivated nature of the case, documenting the risks of an unfair trial in Kazakhstan, and drawing on ARGA Observatory materials about systemic abuses in the Kazakh legal system.
Public strategy
Duisenov's interview on ARGA's channel drew international attention to the political nature of the case. Kazakh authorities attempted to have the video blocked on YouTube — which itself became additional evidence of the political motive behind the prosecution.
Outcome
The German court recognized the prosecution as politically motivated and denied extradition. Duisenov was able to continue the asylum procedure in Germany.
Outcome
Result
Extradition from Germany to Kazakhstan was blocked. The German court recognized the criminal prosecution as politically motivated. Duisenov continues to live in Germany and is pursuing official international protection status.