A judge in Kostanay was sanctioned for violating the Mass Media law

In Kostanay, a judge who violated the  Mass Media law and was mentioned in the "Adil Soz" Legal Review received a public reprimand.
During a hearing on April 21 at the Kostanay City Court, Judge Bakhytkul Kankulova supported the request of one of the parties and expelled the TobolInfo cameraman from the courtroom. She further stated that journalists could be present at the trial as observers, but they were not allowed to publish any information about the hearings.

The Adil Soz Foundation published a Legal Review of this incident, and the TobolInfo news agency submitted a statement to Vyacheslav Salii, the chairman of the Kostanay Regional Court.

"However, Judge Kankulova did not provide any explanation regarding the specific legal basis for her actions, and the trial was not declared closed. These actions undermine journalists' trust in the judiciary, violate the norms of current media legislation, and fall under paragraph 3 of Article 25 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 451-I, dated July 23, 1999, 'On the Mass Media.'"

The Chairman of the Commission on Judicial Ethics responded to the statement as follows:
"Your complaint against Judge Bakhytkul Kankulova of the Kostanay City Court has been reviewed by the Commission on Judicial Ethics at the Kostanay regional branch of the NGO 'Union of Judges of the Republic of Kazakhstan.' Based on the commission's protocol decision, it has been determined that she committed a discrediting misconduct contrary to judicial ethics. In accordance with subparagraph 1.2 of paragraph 6.1 of the Regulations on the Commission on Judicial Ethics, appropriate measures have been taken, and a public censure has been issued against Judge Kankulova."