Human Rights Activist Alima Abdirova was charged with libel

August 11, 2011

There was a first legal proceeding by case of human rights activist Alima Abdirova in Aktobe District Court № 2 on August 10, 2011. Human Rights Activist Alima Abdirova has been at the head of non-governmental organization “Aru Ana” (“Union of Unwed Mothers”). Alima Abdirova was charged with libel under article 129 p.3 “Slander combined with an accusation of a person in the commission of a grave or an especially grave corruption crime” of Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. She can be punished by restriction of freedom for a period up to three years.

Former Director of Yaisan Boarding School for Children with Mental Retardation Irene Dombrovskaya has filed a complaint. The charges originated from articles “Yaisan Boarding School: go to all lengths, in order to avoid the investigation” and “Life in shelter as black stripe”, written by Director of Aktobe Oblast Branch of Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law Olga Klimonova. These articles were placed on the website of Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law http://www.bureau.kz. Human Rights Activist Alima Abdirova has said to a journalist about crimes such as, violent actions of a sexual character and beating with regard to children. She has presented a video record of interview with victims as evidence. Court has provided a free of charge lawyer for her. She had no enough money to hire a lawyer.