Cheers as Kazakh court thwarts deportation of Chinese woman who fled ‘re-education camp’ in Xinjiang

A Chinese national who gave rare public testimony about China’s secretive “re-education” camps in Xinjiang will be allowed to stay in Kazakhstan, where she has applied for asylum.

Sayragul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh from Xinjiang, had been at risk of deportation to China after being charged with illegally crossing the border.

She has said she fled after being forced to teach Chinese history to detainees at a re-education camp. Her lawyer said she would face detention and possible torture if sent back to China.

On Wednesday, a Kazakh court imposed a six-month suspended sentence and ordered her to regularly check in with police.

Supporters in the courtroom broke into applause and cheered after the verdict was announced. After being released, Sauytbay said to a crowd outside the courthouse: “When I came to Kazakhstan, I had a feeling that I am on my own. Now I am confident that it is not true … I have my people, my nation, my homeland that can stand for me.”

Serikzhan Bilash, a local activist who had been advocating for her release, said: “I think it’s a very good judgment. This is a first in Kazakhstan. This evening we will celebrate.”