Ermek Taichibekov
Initially detained in 2017 for pro-Russian comments online and released after serving less than two years of his sentence, online commentator Ermek Taichibekov was once again arrested on Septmeber… More
PEN America Condemns Internet Shutdown in Kazakhstan
“This blackout is a blatant attack on freedom of expression by the government of Kazakhstan,'' said Polina Sadovskaya, PEN America’s Eurasia director. More
Aigul Otepova
Blogger Otepova was placed under house arrest in September 2020 and accused of supporting the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK), labelled an extremist movement. She was forcibly brought to… More
Alnur Ilyashev
Detained in April 2020, Ilyashev was sentenced in June to three years of restricted freedoms and a five year ban on political activism for a series of Facebook posts… More
Bigeldy Gabdullin
President of the Kazakh PEN Club, Gabdullin was detained in November 2016 after a career of criticizing government officials in the media. He pled guilty to charges of extortion… More
Aron Atabek Aron Yedigheev
Activist, writer, and publisher Atabek was convicted in 2007 of organizing mass disorder and killing a police officer, charges unsupported by sound testimony. While serving his 18 year prison… More
Bigeldy Gabdullin | Status: Conditional Release | Kazakhstan
Bigeldy Gabdullin, journalist and President of the Kazakh PEN Club, was detained on November 15, 2016, and formally arrested on November 16, on charges of extortion. The international community… More
Ill Poet Beaten in Prison
PEN is deeply concerned by reports that the imprisoned poet Aron Atabek, who is in ill health, has been tortured and otherwise ill-treated by prison guards. More
Prison Authorities Denying Medical Treatment to Jailed Poet
PEN is deeply concerned by reports that the Kazakh prison authorities are denying medical treatment to poet Aron Atabek. More
Kazakh Poet Aron Atabek Out of Solitary Confinement; Still No Contact With Family
PEN International welcomes the news that the Kazakh poet Aron Atabek has been removed from solitary confinement, but remains concerned that his family has still not had any contact… More
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PEN America On 
This from @jrezaian on why we must not fall for authoritarian smear tactics against journalists is a must read. #IStandwithEvan https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/31/american-journalist-russia-hostage-putin/
In our recent Hate in the Headlines report, PEN America interviewed 20+ journalists with years of experience documenting domestic extremism. Their topline takeaway? Avoid long profile pieces that normalize extremists. This #60Minutes piece will almost certainly do just that.
Students at @ETSU are being asked to verify that attendees at a student-run drag show are over the age of 18, an unnecessary restriction in an effort to appease a new law banning certain drag performances – which has actually yet to take effect. https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/etsu-changes-venue-for-student-sponsored-drag-show/