Kazakhstan’s Court of Cassation for Administrative Cases has refused to review the decisions of lower courts that denied refugee status to Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev. His lawyer, Vadim Drozdov, reported this to *Novaya Gazeta Europe*.

The court found no grounds to believe that Movlaev faces a risk of personal persecution if returned to Russia, despite the defense’s arguments to the contrary.

"From a practical standpoint, this means the risk of Mansur actually being handed over to Russia will increase significantly," Drozdov stated.

Movlaev has been held in custody pending extradition in Almaty since May 2025. Russia is seeking his extradition on extortion charges; the activist maintains that the criminal case against him is fabricated. In July, a Kazakh court extended his detention by another five months—until January 13, 2027.

Kazakhstan denied Movlaev refugee status on December 26, 2025. In January, the country’s Deputy Prosecutor General approved Russia’s extradition request. Russian authorities assured their Kazakh counterparts that the prosecution was not politically motivated and that Movlaev would not be subjected to torture upon his return.

Meanwhile, international bodies have urged Kazakhstan not to extradite the activist. On February 23, the UN Human Rights Committee issued an urgent interim measure demanding that Movlaev not be handed over to Russia until the proceedings conclude.

Mariana Katzarova, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, also warned of serious risks associated with extradition in a letter to the defense dated September 4. She assessed that Movlaev could face a "foreseeable and individual risk of torture and ill-treatment," politically motivated persecution, and possible extrajudicial execution. Katsarova urged Kazakhstan to reconsider its decision to deny international protection and not to return the activist to Russia under any circumstances.

Movlaev had previously provided information anonymously to the opposition movement 1ADAT regarding the abductions, torture, and disappearances of Chechen residents. He stated that Chechen security forces had abducted and tortured him personally on two occasions. He subsequently managed to leave Russia using forged documents.

According to the activist's support group, his family has also faced pressure. While Movlaev was outside Russia, security forces repeatedly abducted his relatives. In June 2026, his elderly parents were held in an undisclosed location for about two weeks.

Prior to that, Movlaev's supporters claim, his brother Zelimkhan was subjected to sexual torture. During the abuse, he was told, "This is for Mansur." After the story became public, the activist's parents and brother were returned home.