In Kazakhstan, Uzbek scholar Ikboljon Karabaev, a professor of international relations at Maxut Narikbayev University in Astana, has been arrested on suspicion of espionage. This is reported by “Fergana” citing the Uzbek BBC News service.

According to the publication, Karabaev has been in custody since July 3. In Kazakhstan, he lived with his wife and three minor children.

As recounted by a relative of the professor who wished to remain anonymous, several people in civilian clothes arrived at Karabaev’s home, informed him of suspicion of espionage, and took him away. During the detention, relatives were allegedly told of a possible connection between the scholar and an employee of the Uzbekistan consulate in Astana.

According to family members, a criminal case against Karabaev has been opened under Article 176 (“Espionage”) of the Kazakhstan Criminal Code. This article provides for liability for the collection, transmission, theft, or storage of state secrets in the interests of foreign states or organizations, as well as similar actions by foreigners that may threaten the country’s security. If found guilty, the scholar could face 10 to 15 years of imprisonment.

Reasons for Detention

According to one version, the reason for the detention could have been Karabaev’s scientific research devoted to critical minerals.

In April 2025, the professor completed work titled “Comparative Legal, Political and Strategic Narratives Around Critical Minerals in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.” The research has not yet been published. It analyzes nine Kazakhstani, eight Uzbek, and three international documents. According to a colleague of the scholar, all data used were obtained from open sources.

Earlier, in October 2024, Karabaev presented research on the growing international interest in rare earth elements of Central Asia against the backdrop of China’s increasing role, disruptions in global supply chains following the pandemic, and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

In his work, the scholar noted that China already holds leading positions in the production of such raw materials in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is Kazakhstan’s main trading partner for these resources, and is gradually expanding its presence in Uzbekistan.

One of Karabaev’s colleagues noted that specialists of such a profile often come under the attention of security services due to contacts with diplomats, experts, and international organizations. According to him, meetings of scholars with representatives of diplomatic structures, especially in a closed off-the-record format, can be perceived as sensitive from the perspective of national security.

At the same time, the colleague emphasized that he has known Karabaev for more than 10 years and considers him a highly qualified researcher who strictly adheres to academic standards.

Ikboljon Karabaev is 46 years old. He graduated from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent with a degree in International Relations, received two master’s degrees from the French University of Montpellier, and subsequently earned a doctorate in international public law from the University of Toulouse. Before moving to Kazakhstan, he taught at a French university. His research interests are related to the study of regional cooperation and integration processes in Eurasia.

Problems with Legal Representation

Currently, Karabaev, according to relatives, is not receiving adequate legal assistance. The state-appointed lawyer visited him only once and did not provide the family with detailed information about the progress of the case.

The relatives hired a private attorney, but he has not yet been able to meet with the scholar. According to them, permission from Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee is required for the lawyer to meet with Karabaev, and the agency has allegedly been delaying the issuance of such permission for several weeks.

The professor’s family submitted appeals to the National Security Committee, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, and human rights organizations requesting that access for the attorney be provided. No responses to these appeals have been received so far.

At Narikbayev University, one of the professor’s colleagues was told that he “resigned in the summer,” however, Karabaev is still listed among the faculty on the university’s website.

Official authorities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have not yet commented on the circumstances of the case.

Why Critical Minerals Became an Important Topic

In recent years, critical minerals have acquired special geopolitical significance. The International Energy Agency notes that China controls a significant portion of global capacity for processing strategic raw materials, including more than 90% of the global rare earth elements supply chain.

The United States and European Union countries are seeking to reduce their dependence on China and are developing alternative sources of supply, including in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called critical minerals the “new oil” in 2023 and called for developing this sector. Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated in June 2025 that the country has significant reserves of tungsten, molybdenum, magnesium, lithium, graphite, vanadium, and titanium, estimating the country’s total mineral potential at $3 trillion.

In November 2025, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to establish a joint working group on geological exploration and extraction of rare and rare earth metals, and also signed a memorandum of cooperation in the mining sector. The first meeting of the group took place in Astana in April 2026.