Prosecutor Comments on Pickets in Support of Yensebek

On the sidelines of a government hour in the Majilis, the Deputy Prosecutor General was asked about the detention of activists during pickets held in support of Temirlan Yensebek, the person who runs the satirical QazNews24, Orda.kz reports.

Addressing the case against Yensebek, Galymzhan Koigeldiyev stated that the detentions were lawful.

However, when reporters asked why local authorities (Akimats) were not granting permission for pickets, his response was unclear.

This is outlined in the law. You should contact the Akimat to see if there is such an opportunity,  Koigeldiyev said.

Temirlan Yensebek is in detention on charges of inciting social discord.

The case presumably concerns the song “Yo, Orystar,” which Yensebek used in a post about Tina Kandelaki. 

In solidarity with Yensebek, journalists Asem Zhapisheva and Ruslan Biketov, along with activists from Almaty, Qostanay, Astana, and Semey, held pickets with the slogan "Satira—Qylmys Yemes" (Satire is not a Crime — Ed.).

They were detained, and some faced 15-day arrests.

Recently, the Constitutional Court reviewed a complaint challenging certain law provisions on peaceful assemblies. The court ruled that Akimats must offer alternative sites for gatherings and that a thorough analysis of the circumstances must justify any refusal.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov