President of Kazakhstan’s PEN-Club Chief Editor of Newspaper “CentralAsiaMonitor” Bigeldy Gabdullin was detained

On November 15, 2016 Internet-resource Tengrinews.kz with the reference to National Bureau of Anti-Corruption informed that Bigeldy Gabdullin was suspected of extortion.

“There was launching of pre-trial investigation with regard to editor-in-chief of newspapers “CentralAsiaMonitor” and Radiotochka.kz Bigeldy Gabdullin towards facts of extortion. The inquest heard thatBigeldy Gabdullin used mainstream media “CentralAsiaMonitor” and Radiotochka.kz, enlivened information attack with regard to heads of state bodies by dint of publication of negative materials which discredited business reputation.

According to information of National Bureau of Anti-Corruption Bigeldy Gabdullin subsequently pinched state orders for his media resources out of civil servants for stoppage of critic. They in their turn lobbied campaigns of Bigeldy Gabdullin and ensured conclusion of contracts for state procurements. The favourable materials about their activity were published in media. For example, Bigeldy Gabdullin extorted budget funds from akimat (regional body of executive power) of Zhambyl oblast in the amount of KZT10000000. Seven state agencies provided state orders forBigeldy Gabdullin upon same scheme.

At the present time,Bigeldy Gabdullin is detained under article 128 of Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and landed in temporary detention facility of the Department of Internal Affairs (Astana). The pre-trial investigation is continued”. Bigeldy Gabdullin is an author of some books, he is decorated with orders “Kurmet” (“Honor”) (2006), “Parasat” (“Common Sense”) (2012), international order “Honor of Officer” (2013). In 2011, he was entitled as “Best Chief Editor of Kazakhstan”. It came as a surprise for editorial staff of newspaper“CentralAsiaMonitor” detention of their editor-in-chiefBigeldy Gabdullin.