Activist and blogger Yrys Zhekshenaliev published an open appeal to President Sadyr Zhaparov on his Facebook page. He is accused of inciting mass riots and the state prosecution requested six years in prison for him in this case.
Zhekshenaliev wrote in his appeal that he did not agree with the accusation and did not make any appeals.
“Sitting in prison, I was worried and wrote to my relatives: “Do not make appeals, do not go to rallies or various actions, this can be used later [против нас]”. They did it, even if everything inside was on fire, they did not go out anywhere. This once again proves that I did not have a goal to seize power. […] Maybe I made a mistake in my youth, out of ignorance. But I believe that I paid for this mistake with my health and the health of my mother, people close and dear to me. Today my conscience is clear,” he said.
The blogger added that he is a student and is studying to be a lawyer. According to him, “if justice prevails” and he is acquitted, he intends to continue his studies.
20-year-old blogger Yrys Zhekshenaliev was detained on August 14, 2022 due to the publication of an archival video message by ex-chairman of the State Committee for National Security Abdil Segizbaev on Facebook in the Polit Uznik public website. In that appeal, Segizbaev stated that it was necessary to preserve the Zhetim-Too deposit in the Naryn region for posterity.
A criminal case was opened against Zhekshenaliev under the article “Mass riots” (“Calls for active disobedience to the lawful demands of government officials and for mass riots, as well as calls for violence against citizens”).
Deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh and human rights activists have repeatedly called on the court to release the blogger, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to completely stop the criminal case against him.
According to the latest court ruling, Zhekshenaliev will remain under house arrest until May 25, 2023.