[2][3][4] Zhylanbayev was born into an Argyn family on 19 August 1963 in Taldy, Karkaraly District, Karaganda Region, in what was then the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 2019, he was a special guest at a marathon in Aktobe, where he ran 10 kilometres and was awarded with an honorary medal in recognition of his achievements in long-distance running.
[1] In 2019, Zhylanbayev took part in a 250 km ultramarathon between the Singing Dunes and Charyn Canyon to raise awareness about the disappearance of native flora and fauna in Kazakhstan.
[10] In 2021, Zhylanbayev received renewed attention as an activist when he began writing online posts critical of the former President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
In June, he was fined ₸306,000 for violating public association laws after he distributed leaflets for his political party, Alga, Kazakhstan!.
[13] In February 2023, snap elections were called, and Zhylanbayev subsequently stated his intention to run as a candidate for the Mäjilis, though he publicly cast doubt over the fairness of the vote.
[14] Zhylanbayev was subsequently removed as an official candidate after it was alleged he had started campaigning too early, in breach of electoral laws.
The evidence cited included a post Zhylanbayev had made on social media asking for financial support to pay the registration fee to become a candidate.
After two unidentified witnesses claimed that they had experienced threats and intimidation, the state prosecutor announced that the trial was going to be closed to the public; this move was criticised by Zhylanbayev himself, his lawyer and his supporters.
[15][22] Zhylanbayev claimed the closed door policy breached the Kazakh constitution, and subsequently appeared at a court hearing on 1 November with his mouth sewed shut.
filed a petition with the prosecutor general's office demanding that investigators into Zhylanbayev's case be held accountable for alleging falsifying the evidence against him.