Сөз бостандығын қорғау халықаралық қоры
Международный фонд защиты свободы слова
The International Foundation for Freedom of Speech Protection

The case of Makhambet Abzhan: court hearings postponed, lawyer is under pressure to sign a gag order

5 july 2022

The court hearings to determine the preventive measure for Makhambet Abzhan has been postponed to July 5. The possible reason  was that on June 4, many supporters of Abzhan and journalists came to the court building where the hearing was to be held.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues. On June 4 M. Abzhan’s lawyer Bauyrzhan Azanov wrote  in his Facebook account:

“The investigator suggested that I sign a gag order on the data of the pre-trial investigation of  Makhambet Abzhan's case.

Makhambet  was categorically against my signing any kind of orders.

I asked to provide the form of the statute that obliges me to sign that order.

Then the investigator said that he would bring a  camera to make a video of ne saying those words.

I had to remind him that I was against making a video recording of me. What are the guarantees that such video would not be posted  in Internet, in various publics and  media, as it already happened with the video of investigative actions involving  Makhambet Abzhan on the morning of July 3?

Is there such a guarantee?

Ask your question