Three civil activists were detained in Almaty for the intention to mount a protest in defense of Zhanbolat Mamay

On February 23 Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law reported that human rights activist Erlan Kaliyev was detained at the exit of the office of KIBHR and RL and was taken to the police department of Alatau district for the  intention to hold a picket in defense of Zhanbolat Mamay in front of the National Security Committee (NSC) department of Almaty. The representatives of theNSC and of the Prosecutor's Office and the district police officer declared Kaliyev is forbidden  to appear at the appointed time at the appointed place.

Blogger Askhat Bersalimov  and human rights activist Galym Ageleuov were detained on the site of the planned picket. According to "Radio Azattyk" Bersalimov was detained because he was making a video. According G.Ageleuov, he came to the place of the planned picket to inform about the detention of Kaliev.

Searches in the editorial office of newspaper “Tribuna. Sayasi Kalam” and in the house of its editor-in-chief Zhanbolat Mamay were conducted on February 10, 2017. Later the same day Zhanbolat Mamay was detained by officers of National Anti-Corruption Bureau within the scope of investigation of the case over embezzlement of “BTA” bank funds by Mukhtar Ablyazov.

On February 11, 2017 Medeu District Court of Almaty sanctioned arrest of the editor-in-chief of  “Tribuna” newspaper Zhanbolat Mamay for two months within the frameworks of investigation of the criminal case on embezzlement “BTA Bank” funds by Mukhtar Ablyazov.

Before his arrest  Zhanbolat Mamay made a public statement:

“I, Zhanbolat Mamay, I do not plead myself guilty to charges brought against me. I have never carried out any business or financial activity. I consider this criminal proceeding to be politically motivated pressure brought upon my journalistic activity and attempt to close newspaper “Tribuna”.

On February 20 the Almaty City Court heard the appeal on Medeu district court’s order of detention for  the editor in chief of the newspaper "Tribune. Sayasi kalam "Zhanbolat Mamay. According to Mamay’s lawyer Zhanar Balgabayeva, the court rejected to release Mamay on bail saying that this measure is not applicable to the charges such as filed against him. Thus the City Court upheld the decision of the first-instance court.

On 21 February the editor in chief of the newspaper "Tribuna. Sayasi kalam" Zhanbolat Mamay informed from the pretrial detention center №18 that he was  beaten and got, extorted money and has serious reasons to be under apprehension of his life.