Convicted Journalist Aigerim Tleuzhan Reports Worsening Health Condition

Journalist and activist Aigerim Tleuzhan, convicted in the case over the seizure of Almaty airport, is reporting a decline in her health. Orda.kz spoke with her lawyer about her condition.

10 Kilograms

In an interview with Orda.kz, lawyer Ainara Aidarkhanova said that Aigerim Tleuzhan underwent surgery a month ago, and her health has deteriorated since then. According to the lawyer, doctors refused to hospitalize her client.

She's currently complaining of health issues. No treatment has been prescribed. She was taken to a medical facility yesterday, but according to the head of the department, hospitalization isn't necessary. They said outpatient observation is enough,
 said Ainara Aidarkhanova.

Complaints have been filed with the Ministry of Health, the State Penitentiary Service, and the Almaty Region Human Rights Commissioner.

So far, there has been no response.

Aigerym complains of a weight loss of approximately 10 kilograms. A month ago, she underwent surgery at the Central District Hospital of the Ily District. She currently has a fever and is feeling generally unwell. We're asking for a full examination and, if necessary, hospitalization, but the doctors believe this is unnecessary. Therefore, we've submitted requests to higher authorities for an investigation,the lawyer added.

Aigerim Tleuzhan was convicted in July 2023. The court found her and four others guilty of seizing the Almaty airport. The journalist was sentenced to four years in prison.

19 Minutes 

Just over a year ago, when the Supreme Court refused to review the case, lawyers spoke out about irregularities during the proceedings.

 The main argument of the defense concerns the disproportionate nature of the punishment.

Some of the witnesses were convicted of theft and looting. They didn't receive actual prison sentences. They were released under amnesty. But Aigerim, who didn't break a single window or show any aggression, received a four-year prison sentence for being on airport property for 19 minutes,
 stated Ainara Aidarkhanova.

The case materials included testimony from employees of Kazaeronavigatsia, the organization responsible for air traffic control.

They stated that the activists had not shown aggression.

No one was beaten, and there were no weapons. The video shows the dispatchers themselves opening the door and inviting those who entered into the assembly hall. After a short conversation, the people left calmly.

The OSCE

Tleuzhanova’s case has also drawn international attention. It was highlighted in a report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which cited violations of fair trial principles in several cases related to the January 2022 events.

At the hearing on March 30, 2023, the judge assigned to hear the motion to recuse the judge intimidated and disrespected the parties. And on November 10, 2023, the court failed to provide translation of the verdict for the defendants who do not speak Russian,
 the report quoted the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights.

Observers also noted that during the hearing, the judge discouraged Tleuzhan from filing a complaint, stating that “the term of her possible imprisonment would be long enough to have time to do so.”

The activist twice went on hunger strike in protest against the verdict and later complained about violations of her rights in prison.

From Candidate to Accused

Before her arrest, Tleuzhan was active in public life. In February 2023, she was scheduled to receive her candidate ID card but was detained by police outside the electoral commission building.

A few hours earlier, she had spoken at a press conference, saying that the Supreme Court had ruled the refusal to register her as a candidate illegal.

A few hours later, she was detained without being allowed to collect her belongings.

After speaking with the lawyer, Orda.kz sent inquiries to the Penitentiary System Committee, the Ministry of Health, and the Ombudsman. No responses have yet been received.

The Ministry of Health, which oversees medical care in prisons, has promised to provide clarification on Aigerim Tleuzhan’s condition.

Original Authors: Zarina Fayzulina, Asem Zhuken