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Do you know the story of Arkhen Uak, a historical figure who participated in the 1986 Jeltoqsan events, was later falsely accused and convicted, and even refused to leave prison? Uak was not just a participant; he was a geologist and scientist who once taught at the same institute as the prominent figure Kairat Rysqulbekov.

Accused and Imprisoned

In 1987, Arkhen Uak was sentenced to eight years in prison. The primary witness against him was a colleague with whom he had no relationship and whom he did not respect. Amidst the political climate of the time, Uak was falsely accused of being an 'organizer' of the protests.

Years of Hardship in Kolyma

Arkhen Uak endured his sentence in a Kolyma prison, a place described in Varlam Shalamov's work as one of Siberia's harshest penal colonies. When an opportunity for clemency arose, thanks to the intervention of human rights advocates, Uak twice refused to be released.

He demanded full exoneration, stating, "I am not an extreme nationalist. I did not organize the Jeltoqsan events. Therefore, I demand to be fully acquitted and released."

Struggle and the Pursuit of Truth in Captivity

While imprisoned, Uak faced assassination attempts but survived them all. He extended a helping hand to fellow inmates who were also victims of false accusations, assisting them in writing petitions and defending their rights. In his memoirs, Uak recounted an encounter where he confronted the person who testified against him, admitting he struck him. He wrote, "That night I slept like a child. I thought about breaking his nose every moment."

Investigating the Jeltoqsan Uprising

After his release, Arkhen Uak dedicated himself to researching the Jeltoqsan events as a scholar. By examining criminal case files in archives, he determined that over 4,000 young people perished during the unrest. He also authored a book detailing what he described as Nazarbayev's genocide against the Kazakh people. Arkhen Uak devoted his life to uncovering the truth and reality behind the Jeltoqsan events.

This story was reported by Infohub.kz.