In case of head of the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan prosecution is trying to make the data fit its version, human rights activists believe

Almaty. August 23. Almaty – The official prosecution speaking against Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Union of Journalists Seitkazy Matayev and KazTAG news agency CEO Asset Matayev actively tries to make the data fit its version, President of the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” Tamara Kaleyeva says.

“What the investigation has composed for half a year does not sound persuasive. In my opinion, there are 10 people at least that equally violate the law in favor of Matayev, without any motives or gains behind. We are realistic people; we know it could not happen like this. Thus, the investigation agencies are very active and not very convincing in their efforts to make the data fit their version”, KazTAG quoted T. Kaleyeva saying.

With this she also noted that the decision on public contracts was taken by the tender committee.

“Probably, the officials wanted to fulfill the order in the best possible manner, and if they gave some preference to someone or if there were no preferences at all, these committees and contests are competitive in their nature, meaning there are not officials only taking part in this. And if the tender committee considers the National Press Club and KazTAG as best organizations to fulfill the state order, then, indeed, they believed this in good faith, yet not because they suddenly started to abuse on behalf of Matayev having no interests of their own in this decision – neither personal nor blackmail or money”, T. Kaleyeva said.

Moreover, in her opinion, the investigation has no facts or evidences against the accused and the indictment is based on assumptions only.

“Indeed, you have heard this wording: criminal plan, plan aimed at illicit enrichment. Where are the evidences of such criminal plan? Not a single word, nor a fact or guesses. A priori, he probably had the criminal genes, but no one managed to see these genes, neither the president nor the journalists, only the investigation bodies succeeded to see he was a vicious criminal type planning to steal the state treasury. These are solely the assumptions of the investigation bodies, and the indictment is based on that. This is its basic position – a viciousness of Matayev. It’s not even stupidity, it is not a fear, not a bribery, and how then to explain it?” - She concluded.

To remind the major hearing started in Astana on cases of S.Matayev and A.Matayev.