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Prominent Kazakh bloggers Yerbolat Zhanabylov and Elmira Tolegenova have been sentenced to four years in prison. The prosecution had requested the jail time for charges including illegal business activities and money laundering.

Prosecution's Argument

During the court proceedings on April 22، 2026، prosecutor Olzhas Khairullaev argued that a non-custodial sentence would not be sufficient for rehabilitation or to prevent future crimes. He emphasized that a prison sentence is the only way to restore social justice.

While acknowledging the defendants have minor children، the prosecution did not identify any mitigating circumstances. However، they did request that the sentencing for Elmira Tolegenova be postponed for one year، citing Article 74 of the Criminal Code، which allows for deferred sentencing for women with children under 14.

Charges and Sentences

Yerbolat Zhanabylov faced charges under two articles of the Criminal Code. For illegal business activities (Article 214، Part 2، Clause 2)، the prosecutor requested 2 years and 6 months imprisonment with confiscation of property. For legalizing (laundering) money obtained through criminal means (Article 218، Part 2، Clause 1)، the request was for 4 years imprisonment with property confiscation.

Considering the totality of offenses، the prosecution sought a final sentence of 4 years imprisonment for Zhanabylov، to be served in a minimum-security facility، along with property confiscation.

Elmira Tolegenova also faced a similar sentence request of 4 years imprisonment with property confiscation. The prosecutor also asked for her pre-trial restriction of house arrest to be changed to detention in the courtroom until the sentence takes effect.

Financial Implications and Asset Seizure

Beyond the prison sentences، the prosecution filed a civil claim for the recovery of illegally obtained funds، amounting to approximately 247.55 million tenge. The court was also asked to confiscate assets believed to have been purchased with criminal proceeds، including 17 iPhones and eight Hyundai Elantra vehicles.

Furthermore، the prosecution requested an arrest be placed on a Lamborghini Urus and a Lexus LX600 to ensure the execution of the verdict. A mandatory payment of 20 MCI (86،500 tenge in 2026) was also requested from the defendants to a victim compensation fund.

Background and Previous Statements

On April 14، blogger Elmira Tolegenova partially admitted guilt in court. Previously، Yerbolat Zhanabylov had also testified، tearfully admitting partial guilt.

The main trial for the bloggers began on March 16 in Astana. The couple had initially objected to media filming and photography during court hearings، citing privacy concerns for their children. Their lawyer's request for a closed-door trial was denied.

According to the indictment read by senior prosecutor's assistant Olzhas Khairullaev، the funds received by the Zhanabylovs، totaling over 247.65 million tenge، were derived from participant contributions، despite advertising suggesting the prize fund was formed from the organizers' own money.

Both Zhanabylov and Tolegenova declined to answer the court's question regarding their admission of guilt.