Mansur Movlaev, a native of Chechnya currently held in Kazakhstan pending extradition, has recounted a conversation with a representative of the Penal System Committee following two suicide attempts. According to Movlaev, the prosecutor stated that the Russian side would succeed in having him returned regardless, while also mentioning the possibility of him becoming a "martyr."

Movlaev’s support group reported the details of the conversation. Movlaev himself claims the official urged him not to harm himself, saying, "They’ll take you anyway; this won't help you." The official also alluded to the potential consequences for the facility's staff.

"I understand what is going on there [in Chechnya]. But you could become a martyr. This is your trial. Don't put this burden on us. We can't help you here, no matter how much we might want to," Movlaev quoted the prosecutor as saying.

In this context, Movlaev recalled that he had previously fled Chechnya precisely because he feared for his safety.

"I didn't flee Chechnya just to end up back there," he emphasized.

Movlaev also questioned why he should be returned to Chechnya if Kazakhstani officials truly understand the potential consequences for him.

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

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

Kazakhstan denied Movlaev refugee status on December 26, 2025. In January, the country’s Prosecutor General’s Office granted 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. However, in February, the Supreme Court suspended the execution of the decision. This move followed a call from the UN Human Rights Committee urging Kazakhstan to refrain from extraditing Movlaev until his complaint had been reviewed.

In September, a Kazakh cassation court upheld the decision to deny Movlaev refugee status. Following this, according to his supporters and human rights activists, he attempted suicide twice—first while in pre-trial detention and later in the hospital.