The judicial board for administrative cases of the West Kazakhstan regional court has repeatedly denied asylum to Russian activist Yulia Emelyanova. This is reported by the human rights project “Kovcheg” with reference to a document received from Emelyanova’s lawyer.
Human rights activists say that during the consideration of the case in Kazakh courts the Russian woman’s right to defence was repeatedly violated. On 14 May, the court did not allow her to participate in the online session, and her lawyer was on a flight at the time. His request to reschedule the session was ignored.
“We will continue to challenge the decision of the Kazakh authorities and try to prevent Yulia’s extradition to Russia. However, the nature of the trial does not allow us to hope that Kazakhstan will refuse to extradite Yulia to Russia,” the Ark wrote.
Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office had earlier granted Russia’s request to extradite Yulia Emelyanova, but the country’s Supreme Court temporarily halted the process until her application for refugee status was considered.
Yulia Emelyanova is a former employee of the St Petersburg headquarters of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and an activist with Emigration for Action and Just Help. In Russia, a theft case was opened against her – she allegedly stole a mobile phone from a taxi driver. Human rights activists believe that the case may have been fabricated.