Temirlan Ensebek

A journalist and author of the satirical public page Qaznews24, actively involved in Kazakhstan’s protest scene.

The case was opened because of a satirical post about Russian TV host Tina Kandelaki. Temirlan published a parody song, ‘Yo, Russians.’ The authorities saw the publication as an insult to people of Russian nationality. For this, Temirlan faced up to seven years in prison. The defense read out the names of the signatories of an open letter addressed to the court, in which ethnic Russians of Kazakhstan stated that Ensebek’s publication did not offend them. The court sentenced Temirlan to five years of restricted freedom, a fine of 20 MRP, and 841 tenge for the expert examination.

2020s

Reading time: 5 minutes.

The final statement

‘It’s as though we’re in a “Black Mirror” episode right now. Honestly, it all suggests my case is politically motivated.’

I attend the trial, seeing all the proceedings. I figured I will receive a conviction anyway.

I’m asking to at least give me the minimum penalty stipulated by the article, a fine but not restriction of freedom, because this penalty is disproportionate to what I did; and what I did does not prove my guilt under this article. And today the state prosecution has failed to prove my guilt. The entire prosecution fell apart in front of everyone’s eyes. You too are witnesses. I’m asking to at least give me the minimum penalty stipulated by the article. As to these restrictions… At least cut half of them. It immediately demonstrates that they just wanted to silence me. Silence. So that I cannot be seen or heard anywhere. That is, I won’t be able to upkeep my social media. Not even [give] interviews. Most importantly, you are depriving me of journalistic activity. I won’t even be able, it turns out, to give comments to journalists myself. This is also some lawlessness. I don’t know, [I won’t be allowed to carry out] social and political activities. I won’t even be allowed to attend peaceful assemblies, although what are peaceful assemblies?

It is given to every person, it is written in the Declaration of Human Rights, that each person has the right to express their will, to express themself. I don’t know. I figured I will receive a conviction anyway, but I am asking, I hope for your grace, that this conviction will be minimal under this article. You are setting forth additional restrictions. I hope there won’t be any of those either. And precisely these additional restrictions suggest that this is a politically motivated case, that they just needed to silence me, that’s all. Well, I’ve said this as early as the first session, that the whole world is watching this. I am myself concerned about Kazakhstan’s international prestige, and I have myself, being a journalist, always strived for the development of the freedom of speech in Kazakhstan, and my sentence now, in my opinion, as the prosecutor has said, is demonstrative for everyone, meaning these are two sides of the same coin: silence me and show everyone that no one can carry out journalistic activities boldly, openly, strive for justice, strive for truth.

Now, after my sentence, if you apply these restrictions to me, my fellow journalists will sadly be afraid, afraid to carry out their profession. I can’t even put two words together right now because I am shocked by these restrictions. They are in no way commensurate with this article, and this article definitely does not stipulate such restrictions, while, moreover, the prosecutor… I don’t know how many—has read out three or four sheets of these restrictions.

And the whole article assumes that five years of restrictions is too much. So, for five years I will be on the list of persons who finance extremism, terrorism. That is, for five years I will also carry terrorist status. All my bank accounts, IIN (Individual Identification Number)—everything will be blocked, I will entirely depend on my parents and my future spouse Maria. I don’t know, at least give me the possibility to do business. I have a sole proprietorship, let me do trade, at least something. There are such restrictions here which simply forbid me everything, that is, for five years. Meaning, I have to just sit quietly at home, keep silent, not talk, not stick out.

I am even forbidden from appearing on social media, on other people’s social media even. Someone else can’t film me either, right? Because it all sounds super, super, super absurd somehow, as though we were behind some crooked mirror. It’s as though we’re in a ‘Black Mirror’ episode right now. Honestly, it all suggests my case is politically motivated.

I still don’t understand anything, but to even resist here, I realized, is pointless. I am simply asking, I am hoping for your grace, your mercy. At least give me the minimum penalty stipulated by this article—a fine. Can I at least get away with a fine? And okay, half of these restrictions on funds. Let me at least carry out some other activity, so that I can work. I remember they forbid journalistic activity, human rights activity, social activity, political activity. I don’t know, at least leave me two of these four. They are what I do best. My skills, my experience. My whole life is in these four areas. At least two of them, leave me two out of four. Half. I don’t know, in general, let me decide, because such restrictions… It’s like I am already wearing a collar around my neck, honestly, I’m running out of air.

I am so shocked I can’t even speak. I am only hoping for your grace and mercy.

Nauryzbai District Court, Almaty, Kazakhstan

11 April 2025

Source: video from court by Temirlan’s family

More about the case: Mediazona. Central Asia

Photo: Qaznews24 / Instagram