Pregnant Kazakh Woman Jailed for TikTok Appeal to Putin

In North Kazakhstan, a 35-year-old pregnant woman, Jansulu Darkhambayeva, was sentenced to two years in prison for a TikTok video. In this video, she appealed to Russian President Putin, requesting the return of several border regions to Russia, claiming that the lease on these lands expires in 2025. The court found her statements to be inciting inter-ethnic strife. Currently, Darkhambayeva is hospitalized due to health complications and risks a miscarriage. This case has sparked a heated debate in Kazakhstan, with some criticizing the harsh sentence while others argue that such statements cannot be tolerated. "This is an outrageous violation of human rights," said a human rights activist. "A pregnant woman should not be imprisoned for expressing her opinion." The incident highlights the complex political and social dynamics between Russia and Kazakhstan, and the challenges of balancing freedom of speech with national security concerns. The ongoing situation underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to handling such cases, ensuring the protection of fundamental human rights.