Human Rights Action (HRA) and the Women’s Rights Centre (WRC) welcome the acquittal of Kazakh human rights activist Dina Smailova by the High Court in Podgorica.

She was arrested yesterday in Montenegro based on an international arrest warrant issued by Kazakhstan, where criminal proceedings are being conducted against her for alleged fraud related to the use of donations during her time in Georgia.

She is an activist against domestic violence and sexual abuse in Kazakhstan, the founder of the NeMolchiKZ Foundation (translated as Don’t Stay Silent), an organization that promotes the rights and freedoms of women, children, gender equality, and fights against discrimination and impunity.

Smailova has been in Montenegro since October 2023, when she and her husband sought asylum in our country due to political persecution in Kazakhstan.

HRA and WRC expect the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro to make an urgent decision regarding Dina Smailova’s asylum request. According to a report by Amnesty International, Kazakhstan is targeting civil activists by turning them into political prisoners. The country has a poor record regarding human rights, which raises serious doubts that Smailova would face persecution, rather than a fair trial, if extradited.

Although the extradition procedure based on Kazakhstan’s request will continue, in the event she is granted asylum, Smailova will not be extradited to that country.

We appeal to the relevant Ministry of Internal Affairs to consider the very concerning human rights situation in this Asian country when making its decision on asylum.

At today’s hearing in the High Court in Podgorica, Smailova was represented by lawyer Dalibor Tomović.