Today, the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights (KIBHR) held a press conference regarding the detention of the author of the satirical publication Qaznews24, Temirlan Yensebek.

There were five speakers at the press conference: lawyer Zhanar Balgabaeva, moderator Inga Imanbay, activists of Oyan, Qazaqstan Bota Sharipzhan and Zhanel Shakhan, political scientist Shalkar Nurseit. They tried to explain the current situation and present evidence of the illegality of the charges brought against Temirlan Yensebek, as well as call for solidarity actions.

The moderator of the meeting, Inga Imanbay, stated that local human rights activists will facilitate assistance from international organizations in Temirlan’s case.

Temirlan's phone and laptop were previously hacked

According to Zhanar Balgabaeva, the criminal prosecution authorities violated the law and unauthorizedly opened Temirlan’s phone and laptop, which, in her opinion, underlines the political reasons for the persecution.

"On Friday, we arrived at the Police Department and met with Temirlan. During the conversation, Temirlan told us that he had been searched: they were looking for a phone. They also asked why the Qaznews24 public page was still working, who was involved in the publications. Later, investigative actions began: a search. According to the law, a search of property, including gadgets, takes place in the presence of the owner. However, when we began the inspection, we saw that both Temirlan's MacBook and phone had been previously opened and there was already a restriction on access. I can show you the photos, we have a protocol where all this is recorded," said Zhanar Balgabaeva.

In what conditions is Temirlan kept?

Temirlan is currently in the temporary detention facility on Lobachevsky Street (Almaty).

"According to civil activists, detention in a temporary detention facility is much harder. After other guys received fines, there was an appeal, and we thought that Temirlan would also be given a fine. However, the court did not satisfy our complaint. Temirlan continues to be held (in a temporary detention facility – editor's note ). How legal is this? Well, it is unfair, but within the law," said Zhanar Balgabaeva.

Let us recall that on January 17, Temirlan was arrested for two months. He is currently in a temporary detention facility. A criminal case is being investigated against him. He is suspected of violating Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Incitement of social, national, tribal, racial, class or religious hatred" by publishing on social networks. Punishment under this article provides for a fine of two to seven thousand MCI or restriction or imprisonment from two to seven years.

According to the lawyer of the detainee, the reason for the arrest was the comic song "Yo, orystar", which Yensebek added to a satirical post about Russian TV presenter Tina Kandelaki.

After Temirlan’s arrest, journalists and activists in various cities of Kazakhstan began to hold solitary pickets with the slogan “Satire is evil.”

Follow us on Facebook

Cover: Zhangir Dzhangildin / The Village Kazakhstan