5 ноября, 2024 - 12:57
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKHSTAN TOKAYEV IN DEFENCE OF JOURNALIST ADILBEKOV
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Dear Kasym-Jomart Kemelevich!
We appeal to you as the guarantor of the Constitution in connection with the unfair punishment of journalist Daniyar Adilbekov. On October 18, he was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months of imprisonment for publications related to corruption in the telegram channel “Wild Horde”. The crimes he was accused of were false denunciation and dissemination of knowingly false information.
We, the journalistic and media community of Kazakhstan, are sure that this is a disproportionate punishment for offenses that do not carry public danger.
The absurdity of the verdict lies in the fact that in addition to the testimonies of the victims, the prosecution was based solely on expertise, which indicates that Daniyar's posts hurt the honor, dignity and business reputation of the victims. At the same time, such cases are considered exclusively in a civil court, which is clearly stated in Article 143 of the Civil Code.
We are also sure that the falsity of the information mentioned by Adilbekov in criminal proceedings cannot be proved only by the testimonies of the victims. The authorities have not confirmed the very falsity of the information, while the defense lawyers have provided the court with sufficient documentary evidence that the information was taken by Daniyar from open sources.
Professional journalistic activity should not be criminalized and become a threat to journalists. Journalists should not be subjected to criminal prosecution and work under conditions of strict self-censorship. We are confident that Adilbekov's actions do not constitute a criminal offense, which means that he should be acquitted.
We urge you to pay attention to this disproportionate verdict, not to allow the institution of the press to be destroyed and to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights!
You can sign the open letter here:
