Kazakh authorities cracked down on pro—Russian blogger - mass media

The Kazakh authorities have cracked down on pro-Russian blogger Aslan Tulegenov, known under the pseudonym "Northern Kazakh". The criminal case and the court verdict against him are a political order. This is reported by the portal "Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan".

The publication recalls that the initiation of the case occurred after one of the Kazakh nationalists expressed dissatisfaction and accused Tulegenov of insulting and humiliating the Kazakh people.

"It is possible that it was planned to initiate a big case against the "separatists" after Aslan's arrest, but since no evidence of such activities and confessions could be obtained, everything stalled on interethnic contradictions within the framework of the well-known Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Tulegenov's supporters believe that his arrest and trial were the result of his constant protests against Russophobia and the growth of nationalist sentiments and movements supported from above. This was the reason for such a harsh sentence," the publication says.

The article says that left-wing blogger Amangeldy Yesenov shares this opinion. He stated on his telegram channel that the incident was a political order.

"Well, you understand that Aslan Tulegenov was sentenced in advance. It was a political order. This is not about justice and the rule of law. But if Aslan Tulegenov had called for the rehabilitation of the Turkestan SS Legion, drowned against May 9 and demanded to lie under Turkey under the pan—Turkic flag, he would have been free and with fat grants," the publication quotes Yesenov.

As previously reported, Aslan Tulegenov, known under the pseudonym "Northern Kazakh", was initially arrested for insulting a person during an Internet stream with one of the Kazakh nationalists. Later, he was accused of inciting ethnic hatred — something he fought against — and a criminal case was opened.

Last week it became known that the court sentenced Tulegenov to 3.9 years in prison.