Kazakhstan Man Beaten and Drugged in China During Land Dispute
Zhengis Zhanat, a Kazakhstani citizen, was detained and drugged in China while trying to aid his mother in a land dispute. After consuming a potentially drugged meal, he experienced severe physical deterioration and was later beaten by police while attempting to petition in Beijing. Medical evaluations in Kazakhstan indicated possible drug toxicity, highlighting the rising tensions for ethnic Kazakhs in China.
Zhengis Zhanat, a 34-year-old Kazakhstani, recently returned to Almaty after an alarming trip to China where he was reportedly beaten and drugged. Originally from Xinjiang, Zhanat had gone back to assist his mother, who is embroiled in a land dispute with local authorities in her home region. This conflict with the government sparked Zhanat’s intention to file an official petition in Beijing, prompting his detention and assault.
On February 9, during a visit to a familiar restaurant in Kaba county, Zhanat believes he may have been drugged, either by police or the dinner hosts. He experienced a rapid decline in physical strength, leading him to call for help from China’s emergency services, but this proved futile. The following day, he was taken into custody by local police and detained in an underground facility.
Zhanat disclosed that his troubles stemmed from plans to join the National People’s Congress in Beijing, which begins on March 5. The local authorities were evidently keen to prevent him from attending, fearing he would represent his family’s grievances. He alleged police labeled him as mentally unstable to justify his detention and assured further intimidation was taken against his friends and relatives.
His medical examination in Kazakhstan revealed symptoms consistent with drug toxicity, as stated by his physician, Yerkenbek. He emphasized Zhanat’s erratic mental state and memory issues suggested ingestion of a harmful substance. Medical assessments at multiple facilities confirmed the presence of toxicity.
Human rights advocate Serikzhan Bilash described how Zhanat was approached by local officers and urged to return to Kazakhstan promptly. Following his meal, Zhanat quickly felt ill and informed his family that he had potentially been poisoned. His sister is now pursuing better medical care for him due to his unstable health.
Zhanat’s family has faced severe challenges since local authorities seized a substantial portion of their land back in 2012. Despite contesting this action, they were met with violence from armed personnel. Notably, Zhanat’s mother has suffered grave health issues as a consequence of these disputes. The alarming situation reflects the ongoing tensions between ethnic Kazakhs in China and the government, with many Kazakhs increasingly seeking refuge in Kazakhstan amid escalating oppression.
Zhengis Zhanat’s harrowing experience illustrates the grave risks faced by ethnic Kazakhs in China, especially when opposing local government practices. His forced detention and assault underscore the contentious relationship between Kazakhs and the Chinese authorities. Furthermore, Zhanat’s medical condition represents the broader implications of these tensions, revealing the health impacts of abuse and oppression. As Kazakhs continue to confront such injustices, there is an observable trend of migration back to Kazakhstan for safety.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
