{{Short description|Kazakh poet, journalist, and politician (1953–2021)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Family name hatnote|Qabyşūly|Edigeyev|lang=Eastern Slavic}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Aron Atabek | native_name = {{Nobold|Арон Атабек}} | native_name_lang = kk | image = Aron Atabek imprisoned poet Kazakhstan Astana 2012.jpg | image_size = | caption = Atabek in prison, 2012 | office = [[Alash National Freedom Party|Leader of the Alash National Freedom Party]] | term_start = April 1990 | term_end = 24 November 2021 | predecessor = Office established | successor = ''Vacant'' | birth_name = Aron Qabyşūly Nutuşev | birth_date = {{Birth date|1953|01|31|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Naryn Khuduk]], [[Kalmyk Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Kalmyk ASSR]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], [[Soviet Union]] | death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|11|24|1953|01|31|df=y}} | death_place = [[Almaty]], [[Kazakhstan]] | party = [[Alash National Freedom Party|Alash]] | other_party = | spouse = | children = Alma Nutusheva | alma_mater = [[Al-Farabi Kazakh National University|Kazakh State University]]<br>[[Leningrad State University]] | profession = Poet, author, journalist, political activist | website = | battles = [[First Nagorno-Karabakh war]]<br>[[Jeltoqsan|Jeltoqsan revolt]] }} '''Aron Qabyşūly Edigeev''' ({{Langx|kk|Арон Қабышұлы Едігеев, Нутушев}}, born '''Aron Qabyşūly Nutuşev'''; 31 January 1953 – 24 November 2021), better known as '''Aron Atabek''' ({{Langx|kk|Арон Атабек}}), was a Kazakh political activist and poet.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Giorgobiani|first=Natia|date=1 October 2021|title=Kazakhstan court frees dissident Aron Atabek from prison|url=https://www.perild.com/2021/10/01/kazakhstan-court-frees-dissident-aron-atabek-from-prison/|access-date=14 November 2021|website=Perild|language=en-US|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114020212/https://www.perild.com/2021/10/01/kazakhstan-court-frees-dissident-aron-atabek-from-prison/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He was a leader of an independent [[Alash National Freedom Party]], and the president of the political council of the ''Kazak Memleketi'', the Kazakhstan National Front.<ref name=":2" /> After [[Kazakhstan]] gained its independence in 1991 upon the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], he was a staunch critic of the regime of President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]].<ref name=":3" /> He was an author of several poems and a book critical of the Kazakh government, for which he was imprisoned for fifteen years. He was released in October 2021, and died a month later on 24 November, while being treated in a hospital in [[Almaty]] for [[COVID-19]].<ref name="rferldeath">{{cite web |title=Released After 18 Years In Prison, Dissident Kazakh Poet Dies After COVID-19 Hospitalization |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-atabek-dissident-poet-dead/31577362.html |website=rferl.org |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |access-date=24 November 2021 |date=24 November 2021}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Atabek was born on 31 January 1953, with a birth name Aron Qabyşūly Nūtuşev, in the village [[Naryn Khuduk]] in the [[Kalmyk Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] (now [[Kalmykia]], Russia).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title='A Real Man Must Stand Up' – Kazakh Poet, Dissident Returns To Solitary Confinement|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-aron-atabek-dissident-poet/24887000.html|access-date=14 November 2021|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=29 January 2013 |language=en}}</ref> His father lived during the [[Holodomor]] famine, and spent years in a [[Gulag]] camp before eventually becoming the chairman of a collective farm in the [[Astrakhan Oblast]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Биография — Поэт Арон Атабек|url=https://aronatabek.com/biografia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130163834/http://aronatabek.com/biografia|archive-date=30 January 2020|access-date=26 November 2021|website=aronatabek.com|language=ru}}</ref> Atabek's grandfather and great-grandfather were repressed and executed by the Bolsheviks. His great-great-grandfather [[Makhambet Otemisuly]] was a poet and warrior who led an uprising in [[Bukey Horde]] in 1836–1837, but was later killed by Kazakh mercenaries under the order of the Russian Tsarist authorities.<ref name=":7" />
In 1971, Atabek moved to the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic]] (now Kazakhstan) when he was 18 years old. There, he graduated from the Faculty of Philology in the [[Al-Farabi Kazakh National University|Kazakh State University]] in 1974. He subsequently underwent an internship in the Department of Mongolian Studies and Turkology at [[Leningrad State University]], and then worked as an editor in the State Film Agency and Mektep Publishing House.<ref name=":7" />
== Political activism == Because Kazakhstan was still a part of the Soviet Union, Atabek opposed the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (CPSU).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Schütz|first=Birger|title=Frei, aber krank (neues deutschland)|url=https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1157654.kasachstan-frei-aber-krank.html|access-date=14 November 2021|website=www.nd-aktuell.de|language=de}}</ref> In 1986, he participated in the [[Jeltoqsan]] civil unrest that took place in Alma-Ata (present-day [[Almaty]]), and consequently hid in remote areas to avoid prosecution.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Danilin|first=Nikita|date=29 October 2021|title=Последний казахский самурай. История поэта Арона Атабека, боровшегося с режимом со времен Желтоксана|url=https://mediazona.ca/article/2021/10/29/aron|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124211738/https://mediazona.ca/article/2021/10/29/aron|archive-date=24 November 2021|access-date=24 November 2021|website=Медиазона Центральная Азия|language=ru}}</ref> In April 1989, Atabek wrote a letter to the [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union]] demanding "a revision of the political assessment in regards to Jeltoqsan and the release of all its protesters, as well as granting of Kazakhstan's state sovereignty".<ref name=":4" />
In August 1989, Atabek organized Kazakhstan's first ever Zheruyuk National Patriotic Society.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Атабек Арон Кабышевич|url=https://kazpolit.org/ru/atabek-aron|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126014747/https://kazpolit.org/ru/atabek-aron|archive-date=26 November 2021|access-date=24 November 2021|website=kazpolit.org|language=ru}}</ref> Months later in November 1989, he personally submitted an application to the Alma-Ata City Executive Committee in a request to allow a [[trizna]] feast in memory of the victims of the Jeltoqsan.<ref name=":5" /> As a result, Atabek faced persecution and was imprisoned, and the Zheruyuk Society was abolished.<ref name=":5" /> In spite of this, with the approval of the Ideology Secretary [[Özbekälı Jänıbekov]], mourning rallies were held in Alma-Ata on 13 December 1989 at the medical institute and continued until January 1990 to commemorate the third anniversary of the Jeltoqsan.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=19 April 2005|title=Открытое письмо Президенту Н.А.Назарбаеву от поэта и диссидента А.Атабека|url=https://zonakz.net/2005/04/19/%d0%be%d1%82%d0%ba%d1%80%d1%8b%d1%82%d0%be%d0%b5-%d0%bf%d0%b8%d1%81%d1%8c%d0%bc%d0%be-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b7%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%82%d1%83-%d0%bd-%d0%b0-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%b1/|url-status=live|access-date=24 November 2021|website=zonakz.net|language=ru-RU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124211732/https://zonakz.net/2005/04/19/%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%8B%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BC%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%83-%D0%BD-%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B1/ |archive-date=24 November 2021 }}</ref> In December 1989, Atabek met with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] to voice demands that were written prior in a letter to Congress of People's Deputies.<ref name=":4" />
By April 1990, Atabek announced the formation of a nationalist pan-Turkist Islamic [[Alash National Freedom Party]], and he became leader. Apart from calling for Kazakhstan's independence and the establishment of a unified Islamic [[Turkestan]] which would expel all Slavs, the party criticized the existing government, specifically Nazarbayev.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Allworth|first=Edward|title=Central Asia, 130 Years of Russian Dominance A Historical Overview|publisher=Duke University Press|year=1994|isbn=0-8223-1554-8|pages=584}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Laruelle|first=Marlène|title=Central Peripheries Nationhood in Central Asia|publisher=UCL Press|year=2021|isbn=9781800080133|location=London|pages=171}}</ref> As a result, Atabek was threatened and forced to move to [[Moscow]] in February 1991.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dilip|first=Hiro|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1271705915|title=Between Marx and Muhammad the changing face of Central Asia|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|year=1994|isbn=0-00-638367-X|pages=116|oclc=1271705915}}</ref> In December 1991, the pro-Islamic faction of the Alash attempted to forcefully remove [[mufti]] (Muslim jurist) Ryspek Nysambaev from a mosque in Alma-Ata; Nysambaev was attacked and taken hostage before being freed by police.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 1991|title=Оппозиционная партия обвиняется в избиении муфтия|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2072|access-date=24 November 2021|website=www.kommersant.ru|language=ru}}</ref> In response, Atabek condemned the incident caused by the party members, accusing the [[KGB]] and Islamic fundamentalists of setting up the provocative attack.<ref name=":6" /> However, he attempted to achieve the release of his party members from prison using personal connections and financial capabilities.<ref name=":6" /> Due to the events, the Kazakh government accused Atabek of staging the incident and slandering Nazarbayev, violating Kazakh criminal code.<ref name=":4" /> As a result, a criminal case was opened against him, and Russian security forces arrested him in Moscow in March 1992.<ref name=":4" />
== Life in exile (1992–1996) == Atabek's case gained publicity as attempts were made to send him back to Kazakhstan. With the help of lawyers, the Russian government offered Atabek assistance in obtaining political asylum abroad from numerous countries.<ref name=":6" /> After receiving an invitation from the Azerbaijani President [[Abulfaz Elchibey]] in April 1992, Atabek moved to [[Baku]] on 6 August 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 August 1992|title=Азербайджан предоставил политубежище казахскому диссиденту|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6081|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124214659/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6081|archive-date=24 November 2021|access-date=26 November 2021|website=www.kommersant.ru|language=ru}}</ref> Atabek described Azerbaijan as a "compromise option" and remarked the "Caspian Sea does not divide, but connects Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan."<ref name=":6" /> There, he lived with family and close friends, prompting the involvement of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs to negotiate with the Azerbaijani government. Ultimately, the Kazakh government pledged not to demand an extradition of Atabek, while in return, Azerbaijan would only provide security, rather than granting a political asylum.<ref name=":6" /> During his stay in the country, Atabek wrote that he had been living in the barracks along with the refugees from the [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]] and was not provided with housing, job, financial assistance, or Azerbaijani citizenship, relying on the generosity of close friends affiliated with the [[Azerbaijani Popular Front Party]] for food.<ref name=":6" /> Atabek defended Azerbaijan in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and became one of founders of the Turkestan Committee, an opposition group consisting of emigrants from the Turkic-speaking countries in Central Asia, taking trips to [[Karabakh]] and [[Chechnya]], as well as participating in the 1st World Kurultai of Turkic Peoples held in [[Antalya]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Laruelle|first=Marlene|title=Kazakhstan in the Making: Legitimacy, Symbols, and Social Changes|publisher=Lexington Books|year=2016|isbn=9781498525473|pages=159}}</ref>
After [[Heydar Aliyev]] came to power in Azerbaijan, Atabek left the country and moved with his family to [[Nalchik]], Russia, where according to himself they lived in a "very poor state", before moving back to Moscow in October 1994.<ref name=":6" /> From Moscow his family returned to [[Almaty]], while Atabek stayed in Russia, although visiting Kazakhstan several times illegally before moving there in December 1996.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
== Return to Kazakhstan and subsequent activities (1996–2006) == Upon returning to Kazakhstan, Atabek described being "unaffectionately greeted" by his homeland.<ref name=":6" /> During that time, Atabek was homeless: he had sold his two apartments earlier to financially support the Alash party and was unemployed.<ref name=":6" /> Atabek was denied Kazakhstani citizenship and instead he demanded a pardon from President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]], which was refused.<ref name=":6" /> He resided in rented apartments and dachas and lived in the mountains for two years while renting a cottage with his family.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Atabek's son, Asqar, started school late while his daughter Aidana was homeschooled.<ref name=":6" />
From 2003 to 2005, Atabek worked as an editor in the literary magazine ''Amanat'' at the International Club of Poetry Lovers of Abai.<ref name=":5" /> While there, he entered politics again by becoming the organizer and chairman of the Kazak Ulty Society.<ref name=":5" /> In April 2005, Atabek formed the Kazak Memleketi (People's Front of Kazakhstan), an organization aimed at uniting all Kazakh people as well as other ethnic groups living in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 April 2005|title=Учредительное собрание народного фронта Казахстана "Казак мемлекетi"|url=https://zonakz.net/2005/04/08/%d1%83%d1%87%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%bb%d1%8c%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b5-%d1%81%d0%be%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b3%d0%be-%d1%84%d1%80/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124211826/https://zonakz.net/2005/04/08/%D1%83%D1%87%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D1%84%D1%80/|archive-date=24 November 2021|access-date=26 November 2021|website=zonakz.net|language=ru-RU}}</ref> The Kazak Memleketi also advocated for the protection of the rights of homeless people living in self-constructed illegally erected homes which created a movement of "collective self-defense" for [[shanty town]]s located in the microdistricts within [[Almaty]], as well as for residents living in dormitories facing eviction.<ref name=":5" />
== Involvement in Shanyrak riot and trial == Starting in May 2006, the Almaty city government began demolishing shanty towns located within the city outskirts due to a new housing development program to accommodate the city's growing population, without providing resettlement assistance for the residents nor an appropriate registration process.<ref>{{Cite web|last=КУРМАНОВ|first=Айнур|date=15 May 2006|title=Побоище в Бакае|url=https://zonakz.net/2006/05/15/%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b1%d0%be%d0%b8%d1%89%d0%b5-%d0%b2-%d0%b1%d0%b0%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%b5/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124214224/https://zonakz.net/2006/05/15/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%89%D0%B5-%D0%B2-%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B5/|archive-date=24 November 2021|access-date=27 November 2021|website=zonakz.net|language=ru-RU}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Lillis|first=Joanna|date=9 August 2006|title=Rich-Poor Gap Fuels Tension in Kazakhstan's Commercial Capital|url=https://eurasianet.org/rich-poor-gap-fuels-tension-in-kazakhstans-commercial-capital|url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2021|website=eurasianet.org|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112042505/https://eurasianet.org/rich-poor-gap-fuels-tension-in-kazakhstans-commercial-capital |archive-date=12 January 2021 }}</ref> Atabek participated in the defense of homes in Bakai District against demolition, while calling on others to join in these efforts, writing to First Lady of Kazakhstan [[Sara Nazarbayeva]]: "Why not show some humanity and philanthropy, and legalise these miserable 0.06-hectare plots for these Kazakh families for whom these pieces of land are the only way to survive in an environment of unchecked capitalism?"<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kazakstan: Trouble in Suburbia|url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/kazakstan-trouble-suburbia|access-date=27 November 2021|website=iwpr.net|language=en}}</ref> During the event, Atabek's knee was injured after an officer hit him with a truncheon.<ref name=":4" /> Despite the efforts by city authorities, the homes were briefly prevented from being demolished until 7 July 2006, when 500 houses were razed and their residents evicted.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8" />
Portions of the Shanyrak District were also targeted for demolition. When the town's residents became aware of the city's eviction plans, they built defensive barricades, prepared [[Molotov cocktail]]s, and collected sticks and stones, with Bakai residents also joining forces in Shanyrak.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8" /> On 14 July 2006, skirmishes broke out in Shanyrak after a riot squad arrived to clear out the area.<ref name=":11" /> Both sides suffered injuries, including one police officer set on fire with gasoline.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news|date=16 July 2016|title=Шаңырақ оқиғасы|url=https://www.azattyq.org/a/1831493.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2021|website=Азаттық радиосы|language=kk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720014318/http://www.azattyq.org:80/a/1831493.html |archive-date=20 July 2016 |last1=Радиосы |first1=Азаттық }}</ref> Multiple squadron assaults were carried out in an attempt to take control of the area, but resisting locals repelled police until the city authorities called off the siege, thus preventing further enactment of evictions and demolition of homes.<ref name=":11" />
Atabek, who headed the Shanyrak's Land and Dwelling Committee advocacy group at that time, sought medical care after being injured in the riot and was attacked by six policemen while staying in hospital; he was interrogated by the Almaty Department of Internal Affairs before his release at one o'clock in the morning.<ref name=":9" /> After Atabek's injuries, he and his friends sought medical help but were repeatedly denied by several hospitals.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=КУРМАНОВ|first=Айнур|date=19 July 2006|title=Арону Атабеку отказывают в медицинской помощи|url=https://zonakz.net/2006/07/19/%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%be%d0%bd%d1%83-%d0%b0%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%ba%d1%83-%d0%be%d1%82%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%b7%d1%8b%d0%b2%d0%b0%d1%8e%d1%82-%d0%b2-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b8%d1%86%d0%b8%d0%bd%d1%81%d0%ba/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124211735/https://zonakz.net/2006/07/19/%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%83-%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%83-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%8E%D1%82-%D0%B2-%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA/|archive-date=24 November 2021|access-date=27 November 2021|website=zonakz.net|language=ru-RU}}</ref> Atabek was once again summoned to the Department of Internal Affairs on 17 July 2006, and was arrested on the charges of organizing the riot, taking hostages, and attempted murder, the latter of which was changed to a murder charge shortly afterwards when the burned policeman died.<ref name=":9" />
== Imprisonment == Following his involvement in the protests against the shanty town demolition, Atabek was sentenced to a prison term of eighteen years for organizing politically motivated proceedings during a protest against the demolition of a [[shanty town]] in 2006.<ref name=":2" /> He was also convicted of the death of the police officer who was burned.<ref name=":2" />
In 2012, Atabek published the book ''The Heart of Eurasia'' criticizing [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]'s regime.<ref name=":2" /> The work was published after being smuggled out of the facility where he was imprisoned.<ref name=":2" /> Subsequently, he was sentenced to two years in solitary confinement and transferred to jail in [[Arkalyk]],<ref name=":2" /> described as one of the harshest prisons in Kazakhstan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheerin|first=Cathal|date=24 June 2013|title=A Prison within a Prison: the Solitary Confinement of Kazakh Poet Aron Atabek|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/cathal-sheerin/a-prison-within-a-prison_b_3491209.html|url-status=live|access-date=14 November 2021|website=HuffPost UK|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824205958/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/cathal-sheerin/a-prison-within-a-prison_b_3491209.html |archive-date=24 August 2013 }}</ref> After fifteen years in prison, he was released in October 2021 due to deteriorating health.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Glas|first=Othmara|date=6 November 2021|title=Opposition in Kasachstan: Der kasachische Samurai|language=de|work=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]]|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/debatten/der-kasachische-samurai-17620487.html|access-date=14 November 2021|issn=0174-4909}}</ref>
=== Detention conditions === In 2009, it was reported that Atabek has been transferred to the prison in [[Arkalyk]] in the [[Kostanay Region]].<ref name=":2" /> Atabek has described the conditions of his isolation as "a prison within a prison" or "a complete vacuum".<ref name=":1" /> The reportedly prolonged times of isolation constituted an inhuman act which according to the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights|Treaty on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] of the [[United Nations]] are prohibited,<ref name=":1" /> as [[Kazakhstan]] is a signatory of the UN treaty and therefore obliged to comply with it.<ref name=":1" /> Furthermore, by reportedly denying him a regular correspondence and visits by his relatives, Kazakhstan also violated the [[Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners|UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners]] (also known as the ''[[Nelson Mandela|Mandela]] Rules'').<ref name=":1" />
== Literary and journalistic works == Between 1989 and 1992, Atabek was the publisher of the newspapers ''Alash'' and ''HAK'', which were prohibited in Kazakhstan.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=13 March 2014|title=Political persecution against the Kazakhstan dissident Aron Atabek|url=https://en.odfoundation.eu/a/3111,political-persecution-against-the-kazakhstan-dissident-aron-atabek/|url-status=live|access-date=14 November 2021|website=[[Open Dialogue Foundation]]|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504213500/http://en.odfoundation.eu:80/a/3111,political-persecution-against-the-kazakhstan-dissident-aron-atabek |archive-date=4 May 2014 }}</ref> The ''Alash'' from January 1990 was printed in Estonia and delivered by couriers to Kazakhstan where the security forces attempted to withdraw the publication.<ref name=":4" />
In addition, he authored several books of poetry and prose inspired by [[Tengrism|Tengriist]] spirituality and established the monthly ''Haq'' ('''The Truth''') in 1992.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Halaimzai|first=Sahar|date=19 March 2018|title=This World Poetry Day Help Free Imprisoned Kazakh…|url=https://pen-international.org/news/on-world-poetry-day-help-free-imprisoned-kazakh-poet-aron-atabek|url-status=live|access-date=14 November 2021|website=[[PEN International]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422003853/http://pen-international.org:80/news/on-world-poetry-day-help-free-imprisoned-kazakh-poet-aron-atabek |archive-date=22 April 2018 }}</ref> After returning to Kazakhstan from exile in 1996, Atabek published his poetry collection in 1998, where he translated ''Kul-Teguin Monument'', an ancient Turkic poetic stele into Russian and ''Yollig-tegin. Monument to Kul-Teguin'', which was published in 2000 and financially supported by his friends.<ref name=":5" />
While in prison, he also published ''Heart of Eurasia'', a 2012 book that was critical of Nursultan Nazarbayev.<ref name=":2" />
== Personal life == Atabek was married to Jainagul Aidarhan and has two children.<ref name=":0" /> He died from [[COVID-19]] while recovering at an [[Almaty]] hospital on 24 November 2021, amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan]], just a month after being released from prison.<ref name="rferldeath" /><ref name="TheDiplomatNov2021Death">{{Cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/11/kazakhstans-poet-political-dissident-aron-atabek-dies/ |title=Kazakhstan's Poet, Political Dissident Aron Atabek Dies |publisher=The Diplomat |last=Sorbello |first=Paolo |date=30 November 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
== Awards == * 2004: Almas Kylysh prize<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=International|first=P. E. N.|date=27 November 2021|title=Promoting freedom of expression and literature|url=https://pen-international.org/news/world-poetry-day-2016-take-action-for-aron-atabek|access-date=27 November 2021|website=PEN International|language=en|archive-date=10 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810022300/https://pen-international.org/news/world-poetry-day-2016-take-action-for-aron-atabek/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 2010: [[Freedom to Create Prize|Freedom to Create]]: Imprisoned Artist prize<ref name=":10" />
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Atabek, Aron}} [[Category:1953 births]] [[Category:2021 deaths]] [[Category:Kazakhstani prisoners and detainees]] [[Category:Kazakhstani poets]] [[Category:Kazakhstani politicians]] [[Category:Kazakhstani journalists]] [[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan]] [[Category:People from Kalmykia]] [[Category:Tengrist religious workers]]