"Adil Soz" Calls for Closure of Case Against Journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov

The International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz" has issued a statement regarding the case of journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov, Orda reports.

Akhmedyarov was detained on April 10 in Astana. The foundation stated that it sees no grounds for criminal prosecution.

According to the foundation, the creator of Just Journalism did not act with intent, and therefore should not be subject to criminal liability.

Akhmedyarov is currently designated as a witness with the right to defense in the case. The investigation, initiated under Article 274 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code — concerning the dissemination of knowingly false information — was launched after Akhmedyarov published a post on social media about the possible recruitment of Kazakhs for participation in foreign armed conflicts. 

The journalist claims his post was based on an appeal from a relative of one of the alleged victims.

"Adil Soz" emphasized that criminal charges under Article 274 require proof that false information was shared knowingly and intentionally. Akhmedyarov and his lawyer have submitted correspondence with the source to investigators, which the foundation says supports the absence of intent.

We are convinced that after a thorough assessment of all the circumstances, the case should be closed. The law requires a balance: one cannot punish for the conscientious performance of journalistic work, the statement reads. 

Police confirmed that a pre-trial investigation is ongoing, initiated by a complaint from an Oral resident.

Akhmedyarov was detained in Astana while filming a video. He managed to go live during the incident and suggested the detention was related to his professional activities, but was later stopped.

Akhmedyarov has closely followed the cases of ethnic Kazakhs who have joined the Russian Armed Forces. In 2024, he published several reports on Kazakhstan-born individuals who were recruited and later died in Ukraine.

One of these reports led to a former Oral resident filing a complaint in the summer of 2024, calling for a criminal case against Akhmedyarov. The journalist has dismissed the accusations, characterizing the complainant as “simply a russhist.” 

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov