Major proceedings on case of the head of the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan began in Astana

Almaty. August 23. Silkroadnews – The major proceedings on case of the head of the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan Seitkazy Matayev and news agency CEO Asset Matayev began in Astana, KazTAG reports.

The case is processed by Chairman of Astana Esil district court №2 Akbulat Kurmantayev. Several witnesses, including the Chief Executive Director of JSC «Kazakhtelecom» Batyr Makhanbetazhiev, bloggers, representatives of mass-media, as well as Tamara Kaleyeva, the head of «Adil Soz» International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech, and representatives of the US Embassy in Kazakhstan attended the court session.
During the session the Matayevs expressed dissent with the accusation.

« (...) the indictment consists of 164 pages, while the prosecutor has read into 44 pages only. It is not clear why he spoke in detail about the alleged embezzlement of «Kazakhtelecom» funds in 2011, similarly in 2012, you did not tell about 2013, then on Communication Committee in 2011, 2010 you said. In 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 the funds were stolen in a similar manner. Why do you jump over? There are people sitting here, there are journalists sitting in the hall. You do not simplify the task, we have been staying under investigation over 7 months and under arrest over 6 months! », S. Matayev said.

«We thought the prosecutor to read out the indictment in full. What is the reason to save time reading the indictment? We have been staying under investigation for seven months, read your indictment in full. We do not agree with it, as there are no facts, only assumptions and speculations», S. Matayev added.

In his turn, A. Matayev also disagreed with indictment read out in a shortened version.

«I did not understand the issue on Communication Committee, in my episode. Embezzlement in 2011-2012 are allegedly carried out in a similar manner. What does it mean?», A. Matayev said.

The court session was then suspended till 02.45 p.m. of Astana time.