Kazakhstan Court Rejects RFE/RL Appeal, Upholds Ban on 16 Journalists

A Kazakh court has upheld the denial of accreditation for 16 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Radio Azattyq) journalists under the 2024 media law, which restricts foreign media and journalists without accreditation, effectively preventing them from working legally. Radio Azattyq and advocacy groups argue the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delayed renewals beyond legal timelines and is targeting the outlet, noting prior credential withholding and website access restrictions that coincided with critical coverage and reporting on the 2022 protests. The outlet plans to appeal the ruling.