A Kazakh blogger is held for trying to interview a protester. Authorities crackdown on press freedom and opposition media.
Astana (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A Kazakh blogger, Ashkat Bersalimov, was sentenced to jail for 15 days on 23 February for ostensibly organising an illegal public gathering.
The blogger was trying to report on a protest against the incarceration of Zhanbolat Mamai, an independent journalist, who had been arrested on charges of money laundering in favour of a criminal group led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, a Kazakh political dissident.
Mamay, acting editor of the Sayasi Qalam-Tribuna (The Political Pen-Tribune), was jailed for using his paper to launder money allegedly embezzled by Mukhtar Ablyazov.
He and a cousin are accused of laundering money allegedly embezzled by Ablyazov and his associate Zhaksylyk Zharimbetov from the BTA Bank.
The charges against the journalist are based on Zharimbetov’s testimony. The latter had fled to Turkey but was abducted by the Kazakh intelligence service three weeks ago.
During his trial, Mamay said that he was never involved in business or financial operations. In his view, the case against him is politically motivated and a move designed to stop his political activism and shut down his paper.
This is not the first time that Kazakh authorities try activists, journalists and government opponents.
Under Art 193, paragraph 3 of the Penal Code, Mamay faces up to seven years in prison.
Subject to repression in the past, the Sayasi Qalam-Tribuna received a hefty fine, beyond its ability to pay (US$ 9,000-16,000)
Since Mamay’s arrest, concern has mounted about his health after reports surfaced that he was physically mistreated.
An independent committee against torture stated on 23 February that it visited the detention facility where Mamay is held and found evidence of abuse, including “psychological and physical intimidation”.
“The use of physical violence against him only ceased after the issue had reached the attention of the general public,” Mamay’s lawyer said.
Human rights activists argue that investigators habitually place suspects in cells with other dangerous prisoners as a form of intimidation.
At a press conference, members of the anti-torture committee said that Mamay should be transferred to another cell for his safety.