Appeal hearing in journalist Alexandra Alyokhova’s case postponed

On 15 September, the Almaty City Court postponed the hearing of appeals in the criminal case against journalist Alexandra Alyokhova (Sentsova). A new hearing date has not yet been announced.

As previously reported, on 3 August the Almaly District Court of Almaty found Alyokhova guilty under Part 5 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — unlawful dissemination through mass media of personal data constituting a private secret. She was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with enforcement of the sentence deferred for five years, and was also banned from engaging in journalistic activities for three years.

Both sides appealed the verdict. Adil Soz has previously described the punishment imposed on the journalist as excessively harsh.

The Foundation will continue to monitor the case as it proceeds through the appeal stage.