Marat Zhylanbayev’s Ongoing Struggle: Hunger Strikes, Prison Conditions, and Activist Support

Since late December 2024, Kazakhstan’s most celebrated ultramarathoner turned opposition activist, Marat Zhylanbayev, has been on a hunger strike to protest his seven-year prison sentence. During this period, his lawyers and human-rights advocates have repeatedly highlighted dire conditions inside the Disciplinary Isolation Unit (DIZO) of Colony No. 4 in Stepnogorsk, where he is held. Meanwhile, fellow activists have staged demonstrations demanding his release, only to face administrative detention themselves. Zhylanbayev’s case—charged under Articles 405 and 258 of the Criminal Code for “participation in a banned organization” and “financing extremism”—has become emblematic of broader concerns over political repression and prison conditions in Kazakhstan.

Background: From Desert Records to Political Prisoner

Athletic Achievements

In the 1990 s, Marat Zhylanbayev established himself as one of the world’s foremost ultramarathoners by running across the four major deserts: the Karakum, the Sahara, the Great Victoria, and the Nevada.

His extraordinary feats earned him seven entries in the Guinness Book of Records.

These accomplishments made him a beloved public figure, bringing greater international attention to Kazakhstan than many domestic politicians.

Political Engagement & Charges

n 2022, Zhylanbayev tried multiple times to register the opposition party Alğa, Qazaqstan! with the Ministry of Justice. Authorities repeatedly rejected the application, labelling the group “extremist.”

On 3 March 2023, a Kazakh court convicted him under:

Article 405 (“Organizing or participating in the activities of a public or religious association or any other organization after a court decision banning their activities in connection with extremist or terrorist activity”)—carrying up to six years’ imprisonment.

Article 258 (“Financing terrorist or extremist activities and other assistance to terrorism or extremism”)—carrying up to twelve years’ imprisonment.

Prosecutors originally sought a ten-year sentence, calling him a threat to national security. The court ultimately sentenced him to seven years in a maximum-security prison.

Human-rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Freedom Now have recognised him as a political prisoner and demand his immediate release

Hunger Strikes and Health Concerns

First Hunger Strike (January–February 2024)

In late January 2024, Zhylanbayev began his first hunger strike to protest what he called an unjust verdict. He experienced severe cramps and diarrhea by mid-February and ended that strike on 12 February 2024 due to deteriorating health.

His lawyer, Meirzhan Doskaraev, reported that, despite being prescribed rehydration salts (Rehydron) and other medications on 19 February 2024, prison authorities withheld 18 packets of Rehydron, leaving Zhylanbayev medically vulnerable.

Doskaraev further explained that Zhylanbayev was placed in a 2×3 m solitary DIZO cell with a rotten floor, constant dampness, and rampant rat infestations. He had no access to television, radio, newspapers, or letters from his family (Doskaraev).

The authorities eventually transferred him to the prison’s hospital wing, but conditions remained inadequate.

Second Hunger Strike (December 30 2024 onwards)

On 30 December 2024, just before New Year’s, Zhylanbayev announced a second hunger strike, explicitly stating, “I do not agree with the sentence.” This declaration came in response to the Ak­mola Region Prosecutor Rufat Kuttukov’s official reply to human-rights advocate Bakhytzhan Toregozhina on 14 January 2025.

According to Kuttukov’s response, Zhylanbayev had refused all solid food but continued to consume water, tea, and compote daily under “constant medical supervision” (including regular weight checks). The letter did not specify his overall health status.

Kuttukov’s statement also noted that, by contract, the facility conducts quarterly disinfection and rodent-control measures on the premises. However, Doskaraev and local rights groups maintain that the DIZO remains damp, rat-infested, and unsanitary despite official claims that the cell “meets all sanitary norms” (temperature kept at 20 °C and verified daily).

Prison Conditions Under Scrutiny

Cell Environment in DIZO

Dampness & Rot: Doskaraev has repeatedly described the DIZO cell as “damp” with a “rotten floor” harboring rats. He stated, “The wretched cell is 2×3 meters, never properly cleaned, and overrun by rodents” (Doskaraev).

Lack of Human Contact: Prison administrators have refused to deliver newspapers, letters, or allow remote telephone calls. There is no TV or radio access. Zhylanbayev’s correspondence—including letters to the Commissioner for Human Rights—has been intercepted or destroyed.

Medical Neglect: Even after severe cramps and diarrhea forced him to end his first hunger strike, he did not receive the full course of prescribed medications. On 19 February 2024, prison officials delivered some medicines but withheld all packets of Rehydron essential to combat dehydration.

Administrative Response

Prosecutor’s Acknowledgment (January 2025): Akmola Region Prosecutor Rufat Kuttukov partially confirmed the existence of irregularities. He admitted that Zhylanbayev was in DIZO under “constant medical oversight” and that the cell temperature was maintained at 20 °C.

Quarterly Disinfection & Rodent Control: By contract, the prison’s management carries out disinfection and deratization (“rodent control”) every quarter.

Supervisory Report & Disciplinary Action: After a routine inspection, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office issued an “act of supervision” to the Committee of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan (UI S MVD RK) regarding “conditions of detention, norms of entitlement, and state of buildings in Facility No. 4.” As a result, several prison staff were disciplined or fined for failing to uphold regulatory standards.

Contradictions & Ongoing Concerns

Official vs. Firsthand Accounts: While Kuttukov claims the cell “meets all sanitary norms,” Doskaraev insists its floor remains rotten and rats continue to roam freely. This discrepancy has become a focal point for legal observers and rights defenders.

Restricted Communication: The prosecutor’s letter makes no mention of whether Zhylanbayev can correspond with his lawyer or receive mail, despite his repeated complaints that letters are confiscated.

Staffing & Oversight Issues: In early 2024, the former head of the Atbasar colony, Kazbek Baykadamyov—dismissed after mass-torture allegations—was transferred to Facility No. 4, raising fresh concerns about oversight and accountability. According to Doskaraev, “One of the torture victims was Timur Danebayev.”

Activist Demonstrations & Government Reactions

Local Protests in Early 2025

On 28 May 2025, activist Asiya Onglabekkyzy was detained in Astana for ten days on charges of “violating the procedure for holding a peaceful assembly.” She had staged a small rally demanding Zhylanbayev’s release.

Two days later, on 30 May 2025, in Stepnogorsk, activist Ayya Saduakasova was also given a ten-day administrative sentence for “organizing an illegal gathering” when she protested near the colony gates holding a banner: “Free Marat Zhylanbayev.”

Both women insisted their demonstrations were peaceful and lawful. Saduakasova told the court, “I simply assembled with friends to demand justice. We are not extremists; we only want Marat to be freed.” The court disagreed and barred her from holding assemblies for the next six months.

Timing & Symbolism

The recent detentions coincide with Kazakhstan’s Day of Remembrance for Victims of Famine and Political Repression (early June). Civil-society groups interpret the timing as intentional political messaging—using administrative penalties to stifle dissent on a day commemorating past abuses.

Human-Rights Appeals

A coalition of NGOs and independent lawyers has appealed to the Speakers of both chambers of Kazakhstan’s Parliament and to State Secretary Erlan Karin, demanding Zhylanbayev’s immediate release or at least a commutation of his sentence to house arrest.

In a joint statement issued on 15 January 2025, the coalition wrote:

“Marat Zhylanbayev’s continued detention in the DIZO under inhumane conditions violates Kazakhstan’s Constitution and international treaties to which it is a party. We demand that authorities either permit an independent inspection or transfer him to a general-population cell with regular access to family correspondence.”

Analysis & Broader Implications

Shrinking Space for Peaceful Assembly

Independent observers note an uptick in administrative arrests for “violating assembly procedures,” even when gatherings number fewer than ten people. The detentions of Saduakasova and Onglabekkyzy, both held for ten days, underscore a zero-tolerance approach to public protests—however small.

Human Rights Watch commented in March 2025 that similar verdicts have discouraged others from voicing dissent: “Activists now weigh the cost of a ten-day detention when considering even the mildest protest,” the organization wrote in its latest Central Asia report.

Treatment of Political Prisoners

Zhylanbayev’s case has become a bellwether: if the most internationally renowned athlete in Kazakhstan can be held under these conditions, lesser-known dissidents face even worse treatment.

Legal experts—such as Professor Aida Imangaliyeva of Almaty University—argue that “charging civic activists under Articles 405 and 258 broadens the definition of ‘extremism’ to encompass any organized dissent. This precedent endangers free expression for all citizens.”

Government Position

Officially, the Kazakh Prosecutor’s Office maintains that Zhylanbayev’s detention is purely “legal and apolitical.” Kuttukov’s letter states:

“All procedures were followed in accordance with the Criminal Code. The conditions in Colony No. 4 meet regulatory requirements, and Mr Zhylanbayev’s rights are fully respected.”

Yet the discrepant accounts—lawyer Doskaraev’s firsthand testimony versus the prosecutor’s claims—have eroded public trust in government statements.

Conclusion & What Comes Next

As of early June 2025, Marat Zhylanbayev remains imprisoned in Colony No. 4’s DIZO, continuing his hunger strike into its second month. His weight and health are officially monitored, but neither his lawyers nor family have seen any sign of improved living conditions. Meanwhile, fellow activists face administrative arrests for peacefully demanding his release, and human-rights groups press both domestic authorities and international bodies to intervene.

Observers now await:

Parliamentary Response: Will the speakers of the Mazhilis and Senate act on appeals to commute Zhylanbayev’s sentence?

Judicial Review: Will new evidence of prison neglect prompt an appeal or retrial?

International Pressure: Could measures such as sanctions or UN Special Rapporteur inquiries force a change in Kazakh policy regarding political prisoners?

Zhylanbayev’s case remains a stark reminder that even a national sporting hero—who once brought global acclaim to Kazakhstan—can become a symbol of resistance when he takes a stand against perceived injustice. Whether his hunger strike and the efforts of his supporters will ultimately secure his release is a question that continues to resonate throughout the country and beyond.