Kazakh Authorities Detain Russian Woman Potentially Connected to Opposition Figure

Authorities at Kazakhstan’s Almaty Airport have detained a Russian citizen, who may have previously been associated with Alexei Navalny’s political network.

The woman was reportedly listed in an interstate wanted notice on suspicion of committing property-related crimes, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

She is now expected to be prepared for extradition to Russia.

Detainee Yulia Emelyanova had worked as an observer in Navalny’s campaign offices. Emelyanova was apprehended at the airport on August 31 while transiting through Almaty en route to another country.

Her lawyer Murad Adam confirmed that she is currently being held in a detention center.

Murad Adam has previously represented other Russian citizens detained in Kazakhstan and facing extradition, including Yakut musician Aikhal Ammosov (Igor Ivanov), who was eventually released and able to travel to Germany.