A photo purportedly showing Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in a hospital has been circulating on social media, though users and fact-checkers have questioned its authenticity.
Read also: Kazakhstan’s ‘Falling Nazarbayev’ sculpture sold to Russian buyer.
The image recently appeared in an Instagram post. It shows Nazarbayev lying in a hospital bed with an IV and connected to medical equipment, while a doctor stands nearby. A timestamp at the bottom of the image reads May 23, 2026.
«The people’s gratitude and good wishes are the highest reward for a person who has served the country. Health is one of the most precious gifts a person can have. Therefore, sincere wishes for health and a long life for the older generation are an important part of the people’s traditions,» the post’s author wrote.
Mixed reaction on social media
Comments on the post were divided. Some users immediately called the image fake, while others criticized the former president. Others reacted emotionally and wished him a speedy recovery.
However, several signs indicate the image was generated using artificial intelligence. The Gemini logo is visible in the lower-right corner, and the photo contains common AI artifacts, including illegible background text and distorted details.
Journalists at Factcheck.kz later confirmed that the image was AI-generated and not authentic.
Read also: Nazarbayev’s billions remain untouched after January 2022 uprising, journalist says.
Nazarbayev last appeared in public on March 15 during the referendum on Kazakhstan’s new Constitution.
