Statistic of violations of rights to freedom of expression in Kazakhstan January-May, 2015

Convicted and imprisoned journalists (passing data-1) — 3

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.

Saken Baikenov (blogger, Astana)

On April 13, 2015 Saryarkinsk District Court № 2 (Astana) has found him guilty under article 174 «Incitement of national, social, tribal, racial and religious enmity” of Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and sentenced him to two years of deprivation of liberty.

Attacks on editorial offices and media workers — 4

Paul Mikheyev, «Liter» (Almaty), Alisher Akhmetov, PA «Tengrinews» (Almaty), Madina Alimkhanova, PA «KazTAG» (Almaty), Vladimir Zobenko «Diapason» (Aktobe).

Threats to citizens, journalists and media outlets- 4

Marina Nizovkina, Eugene Sergienko (Television Channel «KTK”, South Kazakhstan Oblast), Kira Tscherbakova («Temirtauskiy Rabochiy», Temirtau) administration of website www.kino.kz (Almaty).

Groundless detentions of media workers —7

Ayan Sharipbaev (LLP «ADAMDAR», Almaty), Guljan Ergalieva, Miras Nurmukhambetov («ADAM bol», Almaty), Dilaram Arkin (journalist, Almaty), Rozlana Taukina (human rights defender, Almaty), Kuanysh Nurzhanov («Ne Khabar?!», Aktau); Yuri Geist, Vladimir Zobenko («Diapason», Aktobe).

Suspension and termination of media publication — 5 (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).

SoundCloud.com. 12.05.2015. The Committee of Communication, Informatization and Information of Ministry of Investments and Development has restricted access to resource, prior to removal of illegal content.

JSC «Television Company«Aruana» (Karaganda. 28.05.2015. The rule on compulsory liquidation of JSC because of providing of untimely providing of tax declaration).

TD«Editorial office 17» (Karaganda. 12.05.2015. The rule on compulsory liquidation because of unproviding of tax reporting).

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 — 11

Criminal prosecution — 17 (incl.: 2 – passing data):

Including:

-Charges with slander — 8 (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), Aigul Musabaeva (“Issykskiy Vestnik”, Almaty Oblast; in May, 2015 there were two suits on bringing to responsibility for slander), Orazgul Zhusieva (Almaty).

Judgment of conviction – 1:

Musagali Duambekov (website Insiderman, Astana);

-Charges with dissemination of misleading information – 3

Baishemirov (a resident of Zhambyl Oblast); Mariya Kovaleva («Uralskaya Nedelya”, West Kazakhstan Oblast), Andrei Tsukanov (video portal 16/12, Almaty).

-Charhges with incitement of national, social and religious enmity — 3:

Tatiyana Shevtsova-Valova (Almaty), Saken Baikenov (Astana) and Marat Telibekov (Almaty) .

Judgment of conviction – 2:

Tatiyana Shevtsova-Valova (Almaty), Saken Baikenov (Astana).

Civil charges have been against media outlets and journalists — 58;

Including:

Civil claims and suits about protection of honor and dignity – 42 ( 11 of them –passing data.)

Damages sought in the lawsuit are: – 352 millions and 600 tenge (incl., upon passing data – 294 millions tenge).

The plaintiffs are: state officials –14 legal entities -8,citizens – 20.

22 judgments were awarded; 11 of them were awarded in favour of media outlets and citizens.

Refusals and restrictions in providing of public and important information — 78