Temirlan Yensebek sentenced in high‑profile caseCEFR B1
7 May 2025
Adapted from Vlast.kz, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Natalia Gusakova, Unsplash
Temirlan Yensebek, 29, ran the Instagram satire account Qaznews24, which had about 75,000 followers. He was arrested on January 17, 2025 and charged under Article 174 of the Criminal Code for "inciting inter‑ethnic discord."
The three‑day trial took place in a small courtroom in Almaty. The defendant was not allowed to attend. On April 11 Judge Beinegul Kaisina sentenced him to five years of "restricted freedom," a non‑custodial term, and banned him from journalism and public engagement. Livestreaming and public access were denied during the proceedings.
Supporters and family campaigned for his release. His father acted as a public defender with an attorney, and his fiancée continued to advocate but was detained and fined. Observers said authorities limited public attention by banning livestreams and speeding up the trial.
Difficult words
- satire — funny content that criticises people or politics
- charge — formally accuse someone of a crimecharged
- trial — official court process to decide guilt
- defendant — person who is accused in a court
- sentence — judge gives a legal punishment to someonesentenced
- restricted freedom — a limited form of personal freedom as punishment
- detain — keep someone in official custody or prisondetained
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might banning livestreams and public access affect public attention to a trial?
- What actions did supporters and family take for his release, and do you think they could help? Why?
- Do you think a three-day trial without the defendant present can be fair? Explain your opinion.
Related articles
Moharaj Sharma: poet, journalist and documentary maker
Moharaj Sharma is a Nepali poet, journalist and documentary maker. He works at AP1 Television, studies Nepali language roots, and has made a documentary about Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees while writing poetry about identity and social change.
Vietnam Rise supports grassroots activists inside Vietnam
Vietnam Rise, founded by members of the Vietnamese diaspora, supports grassroots activists in Vietnam with fellowships, grants and regional cooperation. The group faces state pressure and works to raise international awareness.
Instagram bot campaigns target activists and media in Western Balkans
In November 2025 coordinated bot operations hit activist and media Instagram accounts in the Western Balkans. Reports on November 16 and 23, 2025 describe fake followers, mass reports, bot comments and mass liking that reduced visibility.
