Journalist Olesya Vertinskaya placed under house arrest for two months

On 3 September, a court in Atyrau ordered journalist and activist Olesya Vertinskaya, who works with the local media outlet Dorozhny Patrul (“Road Patrol”), to be placed under house arrest for two months. Shortly before the court hearing, a video showing police officers forcibly taking her from outside the city prosecutor’s office circulated on social media.

According to available information, the criminal case against Vertinskaya is being investigated under Paragraphs 2 and 5 of Part 2 of Article 107 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — “Intentional infliction of moderate bodily harm.” The details of the charges and the circumstances cited as grounds for imposing house arrest have not yet been officially disclosed.

Published footage shows police officers forcibly escorting Vertinskaya from the building while she is holding a crying child. The Atyrau Region Police Department described the incident as a “compulsory appearance.” According to the police, the journalist had been repeatedly summoned for questioning, but the investigator ordered her compulsory appearance because Vertinskaya and her lawyer had allegedly failed to comply with legal requirements.

Police also stated that while the order was being enforced, Vertinskaya failed to comply with lawful police instructions and resisted the officers. The authorities said they would also provide a legal assessment of the actions of other people seen in the video who, according to police, interfered with the officers’ work.

Vertinskaya was later released, but on the same day the court granted a motion to place her under house arrest. The journalist also underwent a forensic medical examination.

Olesya Vertinskaya had previously staged several pickets inside the buildings of the Atyrau city prosecutor’s office and police department. There have also been reports of attacks against her.

The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” believes that preventive measures that significantly restrict a person’s liberty must be necessary, justified and proportionate to the specific risks involved. In the absence of compelling grounds to believe that a suspect may abscond, obstruct the investigation or continue unlawful activity, the use of house arrest requires particularly careful justification.

The Foundation also believes that any use of force during a compulsory appearance must be strictly proportionate to the circumstances and must not exceed what is necessary.

Adil Soz has submitted a request for the court order imposing the preventive measure on Olesya Vertinskaya and has also requested detailed information about the circumstances of the criminal case. Once official responses are received, the Foundation will provide an additional legal assessment of the situation.