On 16 October 2019, Erlan Baltabai, leader of the Fuel and Energy Workers' Union, affiliated with the banned Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KNPRK) was given a new prison sentence of five months and eight days for failing to pay the fine related to his previous sentence. In July 2019 Baltabai was convicted on charges for misappropriation of funds, but released from prison in August 2019 after being pardoned by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The remaining portion of his seven-year prison term was replaced by a fine. Baltabay insisted on his innocence and refused to pay the fine or recognize the presidential pardon. So, he has been returned to prison to serve a new 5-month term.