Kazakhstan Kazakh opposition activist dies after attack in Kiev

The Kazakh opposition figure Aidos Sadykov has died as a result of an assassination attempt in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. "Aidos fought for his life for thirteen days in intensive care, but a miracle did not happen," his wife Natalya wrote on Facebook.

She blamed Kazakh President Kassym-Shomart Tokayev for the journalist's murder. The authorities of the Central Asian state had previously rejected the accusations.

Sadykov was shot outside his home in Kiev on June 18. Two suspects were able to flee to Kazakhstan via neighboring Moldova. One of the two men handed himself in to the Kazakh public prosecutor's office and was arrested. Kiev is seeking extradition. However, Kazakh citizens cannot be extradited under the constitution.

Sadykov and his family had been living in Ukraine as refugees since 2014 and ran several opposition websites. In October 2023, the couple were declared wanted in Kazakhstan for "incitement of the people".