Brother of a pro-Russian political prisoner in Kazakhstan: “You cannot persecute a person for his personal views”

Marlen Taychibekov, the brother of pro-Russian social activist Ermek Taychibekov, who was arrested by the Kazakh authorities in October, wrote an open letter to the country’s leadership.

The author of the letter is convinced that his brother is innocent of inciting ethnic hatred; on the contrary, he advocates friendly relations between Russia and Kazakhstan, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports.

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“Currently, for more than a month in the city of Almaty, pre-trial detention center LA-155/18 has been holding my brother Ermek Taychibekov, who is accused of committing a crime that he did not commit,” writes Marlen Taychibekov. – They are trying to condemn Ermek for promoting good, positive relationships between the peoples living in Kazakhstan.

This position of Ermek is nothing more than a desire to see his country developing, in prosperity and peace. This cannot be interpreted as deliberate actions aimed at inciting interethnic hostility and discord!

I have no doubt that our country, our state, its representatives do not consider good, friendly relations between Russia and Kazakhstan to be an insult to the Kazakhs, belittling their dignity, in the name of peace and support for each other, including in order to obtain positive aspects of economic cooperation "

The author of the letter is convinced that it is impossible to judge a person “under the popular article 174, the punishment under which provides for five to ten years in prison” - both for such a position and in general for expressing one’s own views.

“Is it really prohibited by law to empathize, condole, sympathize?! – asks Taichibekov. – In articles and videos, he expressed his own views, expressed, non-binding, non-calling, simply his subjective thoughts on the events taking place in the country and in the world, shared with subscribers his understanding of what was happening, plans for the future.

Not a single law of the Republic of Kazakhstan contains a ban on posting on a personal page on a social network information consisting of personal conclusions and subjective opinions. This method of communicating, advertising one’s ideas, opinions, positions, is not prohibited.”

The author of the letter is sincerely perplexed as to why the state of Kazakhstan cannot understand that Ermek’s activities are aimed at the benefit of his country, which he loves and honors.

“Why is it not taken into account that Ermek is engaged in charity, providing free financial and legal assistance to elderly people, retired athletes, the poor, WWII veterans and many others. Why are hundreds of thanks from the disadvantaged to whom he provided legal assistance also ignored?

I hope that our state, our judicial system, are fair, humane and will not turn a blind eye to Ermek’s contribution to the development of our country! Ermek has many friends around the world who are always, at any time, ready to receive him.

However, I believe, like many other people, that our country needs Ermek Taychibekov, he needs him in freedom, and not in captivity, in order to contribute to its development, for its good, for the good of our people!” concludes Marlen Taychibekov.

Let us recall that public figure Ermek Taychibekov, known as a radical supporter of the annexation of Kazakhstan to Russia, was arrested in Almaty on charges of inciting ethnic hatred. In an interview with PolitNavigator, a political prisoner рассказал about how in modern Kazakhstan there is a deliberate suppression of the civic consciousness of the European, Christian, Russian population.