Journalist of "Aktobe Times" newspaper Tatyana Tokar acquitted

On May 21, the Aktobe city court acquitted Tatyana Tokar, a journalist of the local newspaper Aktobe Times, Azattyk Radio reports. On November 10, 2016, the newspaper published an article by Tatyana Tokar entitled “A gang of fraudsters put in jail” telling about the criminal case of Gurko. Lawyer Irina Gurko, convicted  for 9 years in prison for fraud in the same year, accused Tatyana Tokar of insult and slander. A criminal charge against the journalist was launched under Part 2 of Article 130 of the Criminal Code (“Libel with the use of the media”).

“The journalist wrote her article based on press releases and information from the courtroom. Her actions do not constitute a crime. Therefore, the court decided to acquit Tatyana Tokar, ”Judge Yerbol Abdykalykov said.

Irina Gurko, while in prison colony, participated in the court via video link. According to Judge Abdykalykova, the journalist has the right to file a lawsuit against Irina Gurko, who accused her of committing a criminal offense.