Former Chinese State Official Testifies Thousands of Ethnic Kazakhs Incarcerated in 'Re-education Camps'

An ethnic Kazakh Chinese citizen convicted of illegally crossing into Kazakhstan was released on August 1 when the Kazakh court decided against deporting her to China and gave her a suspended sentence, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

During her trial in July, Sairagul Sauytbay, a former Chinese state official, testified about thousands of ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims undergoing “political indoctrination” in “re-education camps” in western China.

“Taking into account the fact that the defendant had to commit the crime because it was the only way for her to reunite with her family, the crime cannot be considered serious,” the judge said, reported media.

On July 13, Sauytbay told the court she was sent to work in a “political re-education camp in the mountains”.

Sauytbay fled China in April and was arrested in May at the request of Chinese authorities, said the report.

Footage shows Sauytbay being released and greeted by her family and supporters. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Storyful