Statistic of violations of rights to freedom of expression in Kazakhstan January-March, 2015
Convicted and imprisoned journalists (passing data) — 2
Musagali Duambekov (public defender, Astana)
On May 13, 2014 District Court № 2 (Almatinsk District, Astana) has found him guilty under article 129 “Slander” of Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and sentenced him to one year of restriction of liberty.
On July 13, 2014 Board of Appeals of Court (Astana) has upheld sentence.
On February 19, 2015 Cassational Board of Court (Astana) has upheld sentence and decree of Board of Appeals .
Tatiyana Shevtsova-Valova (blogger, Almaty)
On March 31, 2015 Alatau District Court of Almaty has found her guilty under article 164 «Incitement of national enmity” of Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, dated July 16, 1997. She was sentenced to four years of deprivation of liberty on a parole with trial period within three years.
Attacks on editorial offices and media workers — 3
Paul Mikheyev,«Liter» (Almaty), Alisher Akhmetov, PA «Tengrinews» (Almaty), Madina Alimkhanova, PA«KazTAG» (Almaty).
Threats to citizens, journalists and media outlets- 2
Marina Nizovkina, Eugene Sergienko (Television Channel«KTK”, South Kazakhstan Oblast), Kira Tscherbakova («Temirtauskiy Rabochiy», Temirtau).
Groundless detentions of media workers —5
Ayan Sharipbaev (LLP«ADAMDAR», Almaty), Guljan Ergalieva, Miras Nurmukhambetov («ADAM bol», Almaty), Dilaram Arkin (journalist, Almaty), Rozlana Taukina (human rights defender, Almaty).
Suspension and termination of media publication — 2 (passing data):
«ADAM bol» (Almaty. 20.11.2014. – court ruling on suspension of media publication, prior to passing of judgment at the suit of Department of Internal Policy (Almaty) on closure of magazine; 24.12.2014. – court ruling on closure of magazine. 26.02.2015 .- decree of Board of Appeals has upheld judgment).
TC «Asia Center» (Karaganda. 13.03.2015. The rule on compulsory liquidation because of unproviding of financial reporting over the last years).
Unjustified blocking and restriction of access to websites — 9
The website of newspaper«Aktubinskiy Vestnik»www.avestnik.kz (Aktobe), Facebook.com, serviceInstagram, Messanger; Internet-users from South Kazakhstan Oblast had problems with access to Internet, Radio “Azattyk” (Almaty), “Uralskaya Nedelya” (“Ural's Week”) (Uralsk), Forbes.kz (Almaty, restriction of access to materials, related to arrangements in Saryagash District (South Kazakhstan Oblast), Radio Azattyk (Almaty).
Journalists are prevented from carrying out their professional activity — 6
Criminal prosecution — 10 (incl.: 2 – passing data):
Including:
-Charges with slander — 5 (incl.: 2 – passing data):
Musagali Duambekov (website Insiderman, Astana. Hearing is in appeal); Ersen Iskakov (resident of Akmola oblast), Oksana Zhivitskaya(“Balkhaskiy Rabochiy”, Karaganda Oblast. Pronouncement of sentence). Aigul Musabaeva («Issykskiy Vestnik», Almaty Oblast); Tamara Eslyamova, Talgat Umarov, «Uralskya Nedelya», Abzal Kuspanov (Uralsk).
Judgment of conviction – 1:
Musagali Duambekov (website Insiderman, Astana);
-Charges with dissemination of misleading information – 2
Baishemirov (a resident of Zhambyl Oblast); Mariya Kovaleva («Uralskaya Nedelya”, West Kazakhstan Oblast).
- Charhges with incitement of national, social and religious enmity — 2:
Tatiyana Shevtsova-Valova (Almaty), Saken Baikenov (Astana).
Judgment of conviction – 1:
Tatiyana Shevtsova-Valova (Almaty)
Civil charges have been against media outlets and journalists — 36;
Including:
Civil claims and suits about protection of honor and dignity – 27 ( 10 of them –passing data.).
Damages sought in the lawsuit are: – 345millions tenge(incl., upon passing data – 294 millions tenge).
The plaintiffs are: state officials –10 legal entities -5,citizens – 12.
16 judgments wereawarded; 8of them wereawarded in favour of media outlets and citizens.
Refusals and restrictions in providing of public and important information — 49
