Kazakhstan: CFWIJ Demands Review of Nargiz Severnya's Bogus Extortion Case

Severnya and husband were sentenced to prison on charges of extortion after reporting on Kazakhstan's military affairs

Location: Kazakhstan, Almaty
Date: December 4, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom express deep concern and vehemently condemn the recent sentencing of Kazakh journalist Nargiz Severnya and her husband Vladimir. The judgment — based on bogus charges and a legal process marred with discrepancies and questionable evidence — serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by journalists in Kazakhstan. The broader context in Kazakhstan is equally alarming. We have documented a troubling trend of journalists facing accusations of corruption and experiencing harassment and violence, particularly when they cover sensitive issues. In light of these concerns, we call for a fair and transparent review of the case, emphasizing the importance of reassessing the evidence and addressing discrepancies in the charges.

The Specialized Inter-District Criminal Court in Almaty handed down an eight-year sentence to Nargiz Severnya and a seven-year sentence to Vladimir Severny on December 4, 2023. The charges stem from accusations of blackmailing two business owners to suppress negative stories about their companies. The Severnys, rejecting any wrongdoing, plan to appeal the verdict.

Nargiz Severnaya's eight-year sentence includes a five-year suspension, with her incarceration slated to begin in 2028. Vladimir Severny, acquitted on one count, received a shorter sentence. Legal representatives for the couple are preparing to challenge the decision.

The couple were arrested on April 20, 2023. Vladimir, a military correspondent, has been detained since, while Nargiz was under house arrest. Prior to their arrests, Nargiz had raised concerns on social media about potential provocations against her husband due to his coverage of military issues.

The extortion charges involve an alleged demand for 15 million tenge ($32,400) from entrepreneur Zareta Fataliyeva to cease reporting on her company, which supplies food to Kazakhstan's military. The court disclosed that Fataliyeva initiated the conversation, capturing the dialogue on her phone. In the recording, Nargiz discussed the sum of 15 million, stating that her family needed funds to purchase an apartment. In her court testimony, the journalist clarified that she sought assistance from the business owner, recognizing Fatalieva's involvement in philanthropy. Forensic examinations found no evidence of threats in Nargiz Severnaya's statements, raising questions about the legitimacy of the accusations.

In a separate charge, Nargiz Severnaya was accused of receiving 200,000 tenge ($432) in 2019 from Dmitry Dremasov, the owner of a coffee shop chain, supposedly to remove a negative Facebook post about his business. However, the post remained online, casting doubt on the validity of the extortion claim.

Kazakhstan faces significant challenges to press freedom. According to Reporters Without Borders, reporters are commonly accused of corruption when unpopular issues arise, and security agents, both governmental and private, don't hesitate to use force against them. In 2023 alone, CFWIJ and Women Press Freedom have documented six attacks against women journalists in Kazakhstan, including assault and police harassment. A combination of legal, economic, political, and sociocultural factors in the country contribute to a constrained media environment. Independent outlets and journalists often resort to online platforms to counterbalance the dominance of pro-government narratives in mainstream media.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom are alarmed by the harsh sentencing given to Nargiz and Vladimir Severny. The allegations and the subsequent legal process have been marred with discrepancies and questionable evidence. The case of Nargiz Severnya is particularly troubling. Despite the forensic examinations finding no evidence of threats in her statements, she faces an eight-year sentence, which includes a five-year suspension. The court's handling of the case, including the alleged lack of concrete evidence and discrepancies in the extortion charges, raises questions about the fairness and integrity of the legal proceedings. We demand a fair and transparent review of the Severnys' case. We urge the authorities to reassess the evidence, address the discrepancies in the charges, and for the lengthy sentences to be rescinded.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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