Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan has refused asylum to an escaped Chinese citizen whose court testimony helped expose a secretive network of re-education camps in Chin
MOSCOW – Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan has refused asylum to an escaped Chinese citizen whose court testimony helped expose a secretive network of re-education camps in China’s restive Xinjiang region, her lawyer said Friday.
Sayragul Sauytbay, 41, was denied political asylum by a migration committee in the Central Asian country.
The decision came despite an earlier court ruling refusing to allow her extradition to China for having illegally crossed the border.
Lawyer Abzal Kuspanov said the decision had been “expected” given the “very strong influence of China” on its close ally Kazakhstan.
He said they would appeal the decision.
“She will not be deported, we will not allow it,” Kuspanov said.
The committee’s decision could be appealed through a local court and they would also seek the help of the U. N., he added.
Roughly 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs live in Xinjiang.
Sauytbay admitted to crossing the border illegally to join her family in Kazakhstan, an offense that usually triggers deportation under the country’s criminal code.
