Prof. Ikboljon Qoraboyev, professor of international relations and head of the Center for Global and Regional Governance at Muksut Narikbayev University (MNU) in Astana, Kazakhstan was arrested two months ago for alleged espionage for Uzbekistan, which was only revealed recently. The Committee urges his release.
September 8, 2026
Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mangilik El Avenue 6
010000 Astana,
Republic of Kazakhstan
Dear President Tokayev:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues throughout the world.
We are writing to express our serious concern regarding the case of Professor Ikboljon Qoraboyev, Professor of International Relations and Head of the Center for Global and Regional Governance at Muksut Narikbayev University (MNU) in Astana. Professor Qoraboyev, originally from Andijan, Uzbekistan, is a scholar whose research addresses internationally significant issues, including the politics and geoeconomics of critical minerals in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and China–Central Asia relations. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from universities in France and has been affiliated with the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies and The Hague Research Institute.
According to reports available to us, on July 3, 2026, Professor Qoraboyev was arrested at his home, in the presence of his wife and three children, by individuals in civilian clothing. He is reportedly accused of espionage under Article 176 of the Criminal Code, specifically of possessing “state secrets” for the purpose of transferring them to a foreign organization or state, apparently Uzbekistan. We understand that MNU has subsequently terminated his employment. His detention was not made public until approximately two months after his arrest, and reports indicate that he could face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The Committee respectfully urges your government to make Professor Qoraboyev’s current status and conditions of detention public and to ensure that his fundamental rights are fully protected. He should be held under humane conditions, have prompt and confidential access to the lawyer retained by his family, and receive a fair and transparent judicial process consistent with Kazakhstan’s international human-rights obligations. His counsel should be provided with the access necessary to examine the evidence against him, including any classified material under appropriate procedures, so that Professor Qoraboyev can meaningfully defend himself against the charges.
We are particularly concerned about whether the information Professor Qoraboyev is alleged to have possessed was genuinely classified state-secret information or information available through public and academic sources. Given the seriousness of the charge and the severe potential penalty, we respectfully urge the appropriate authorities to disclose, to the fullest extent compatible with legitimate security requirements, the factual and legal basis for the allegations against him.
If the evidence does not substantiate the charges, we urge that Professor Qoraboyev be released promptly and permitted to reunite with his family. More generally, we ask that his case be handled with the transparency, due process, and respect for academic freedom that such a serious matter requires.
This case may have consequences extending beyond Professor Qoraboyev and his family. Kazakhstan has sought to develop internationally respected universities and research institutions and has attracted scholars of diverse national backgrounds. The detention and prosecution of an academic for activities that may overlap with legitimate scholarly research could have a chilling effect on academic inquiry and international collaboration. It may discourage foreign scholars from studying, teaching, conducting research, and presenting their findings in Kazakhstan, while encouraging scholars currently working there to pursue their careers elsewhere.
We also note that this case may recall concerns raised by the 2019 prosecution of Konstantin Syroezhkin of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, who was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment and was subsequently pardoned. We hope that Professor Qoraboyev’s case will be resolved in a manner that demonstrates Kazakhstan’s commitment to due process, academic freedom, and international scholarly cooperation.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. The Committee of Concerned Scientists will continue to follow developments in Professor Qoraboyev’s case closely.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Marco Antonio Rubio
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
USA
Yermek Kosherbayev.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
31 Kunayev Street, 010000
Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Bakhtiyor Odilovich Saidov
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
45A, Islam Karimov Street,
Tashkent, 100003
Republic of Uzbekistan