Saypidin Sultanaliev

He is a staff member of Archa Media and an investigative journalist with Temirov Live.

He was one of 11 former and current employees of the Temirov Live project who were detained in January 2024 and charged under an article concerning ‘calls for active disobedience to the lawful demands of government officials and for mass unrest, as well as calls for violence against citizens’. He was initially summoned only as a witness in the Temirov Live case, but was subsequently charged. The prosecution sought a six-year prison sentence. On 10 October 2024, he was acquitted.

2020s

Journalists Temirov Live

Reading time: 5 minutes

The Final Statement

‘Our courts must not become mere window dressing; they must make their own decisions.’

Dear Judge,

Today, I want to show you the true face of the people behind bars. Why? Because the young women and men imprisoned alongside me are 20 or 30 years younger than I am. I belong to a different generation. Sometimes, I feel like their father. I am even older than some of their parents. I knew some of these young people before, while I met others behind bars. I have come to learn more about what they talk about, what they think about, and what they dream of. I have also become convinced that no one knows their true character better than I do. Their hearts still hold the dream of developing our country so that we, too, can join the ranks of developed nations. I have witnessed their genuine and pure intentions.

Unfortunately, recent media reports have presented distorted information about them. They claim that only two of the 11 journalists have higher education, while the others have only completed the 11th grade. This clearly shows that the information being conveyed is inaccurate. I will not hide the fact that I have disagreed with some of these young people. I could speak ill of those whose views differ from mine, but I can see, feel, and intuitively understand that they are trying to do something beneficial for our country’s future. I am convinced of their good intentions.

The fact that these young journalists have been in prison for nine months has caused me a father’s anguish. It is also proof that there is no justice. I am ready to sacrifice myself to spare my young comrades further suffering and secure their release. I am already over 50, and I have lived my life. If you intend to send even one of the 11 defendants to prison, release all the others and imprison me instead! I would have no objection. Our courts must not become mere window dressing. They must demonstrate their independence and deliver a fair and lawful verdict.

I want to trust you. That is all I have to say. It is a great honour for me to be behind bars alongside these young people. It is a great honour to suffer together with them. I can say with confidence that I will be proud of this even in the next world. We will all stand before the Supreme Judge. And among those who will be held accountable for their actions will be the Kyrgyz Themis, which today is falsely accusing these people. I leave everything to the judgement of the Almighty. But today, I believe that you will deliver a just verdict. Thank you!

The original final statement, delivered in Kyrgyz in court:

Dear Judge! Today, I want to reveal the true character of these young women and men. Why? Because they are 20 or 30 years younger than I am. I belong to a different generation. I seem to have become something of a father figure to them. I am even older than some of their parents. I knew some of these young people before, while I met others behind bars. I have learned more about what they talk about, what they think about, and what they dream of. I believe that no one knows their true character better than I do, and I have become convinced that this is indeed the case. Deep in their hearts, these young people still cherish the pure desire to develop our country and see it join the ranks of developed nations. I have witnessed this myself. That is who they truly are.

Unfortunately, recent media reports show that completely false information is being conveyed to our president. These reports claim that only two of the 11 journalists have higher education, while the others have only completed the 11th grade. This makes it clear that the information being passed on is inaccurate. I admit that I genuinely disagree with some of these young people. I could speak badly of those whose views differ from mine, but even in those with whom I disagree, I can see, feel, and sense that their intentions towards our country are pure. I believe this.

As a father, I am deeply saddened that our young women and men have been imprisoned for nine months. This is further proof that there is no justice. I am over 50, and there is not much left for me to achieve in life. I am ready to sacrifice myself for these young people so that they are not made to suffer. Release them all and put me in their place. If you believe that even one or two of these 11 journalists should be imprisoned, release the others and send me to prison instead. I fully agree to this.

Our courts must not become mere window dressing. They must demonstrate their independence and deliver a genuinely lawful verdict. I want to place my trust in you. That is all I have to say. It is an honour for me to be here behind bars alongside these young women and men, to stand with them and suffer together with them. I can say that I will be proud of this even when I enter the next world. We will all answer for our actions in the afterlife. The Kyrgyz Themis, too, will be held accountable in the afterlife for falsely accusing these innocent people. I leave everything to the judgement of the Almighty. As for today’s hearing, I trust that you will deliver a lawful verdict.

Thank you!

Leninsky District Court, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
3 October 2024
Source: Kaktus.media
More information about the case: Committee to Protect Journalists
Photo: Saipidin Sultanaliev’s Facebook page