Makhambet Abzhan's case: The investigation must go on

Interrogations of journalist Makhambet Abzhan continue. He is a protected witness in a case initiated under Art. 274, part 2, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Dissemination of knowingly false information with the use of mass media or telecommunication networks that stipulated punishment  from a huge fine to five years in prison).

On January 25, Makhambet Abzhan was summoned for additional interrogation about the events of January 4-5, and the transcript of his interview with the Russian Dozhd TV channel was sent for a forensic psychological and philological examination to the Central Institute of Forensic Expertise. It is unknown when the expert finding will be ready, the investigator vocied a very vague term -  “in the near future”.

The journalist's lawyer Bauyrzhan Azanov is sure that the journalist did not violate the law, and the criminal charges against him should be dropped.

“I am now filing a motion to drop the legal case against Abzhan Makhambet due to the absence of corpus delicti in his actions. I hope the motion will be satisfied by the investigating body - the police department of the Baikonur district of Astana city. That was just an interview, he expressed his opinion,” Bauyrzhan Azanov said.

Nevertheless, experience has shown that it very easy to become a protected witness  in our country (that very often soon become accused).

As it was reported, on January 4, Makhambet Abzhan, the author of the Abzhannews Telegram channel, gave an interview to the Russian TV channel Dozhd about the rallies taking place in Kazakhstan. After that, the police came to his house. Allegedly his neighbors complained about noise. The journalist believes that the arrival of the police was connected to his active covering of the protests in Kazakhstan.

On January 6, Makhambet Abzhan disappeared, but two weeks later he reported on his Telegram channel that he was ok.