Adil Soz Urges to Close Case Involving Sandugash Duisenova

The International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz" has commented on the criminal case of journalist Sandugash Duisenova, calling it inadmissible, Orda.kz reports.

The case was reportedly opened following a statement by the director of LLP, "Tavidi." 

It concerns spreading knowingly false information under Article 274 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan.

The investigation is believed to be tied to a report in which Duisenova quoted a teenager who lost his family in a gas explosion and subsequent fire.

The publication did not contain any statements on behalf of the journalist, no conclusions were made about anyone’s guilt – it conveyed the emotional reaction of the injured party to what was happening,
the foundation stated. 

Experts from Adil Soz pointed out that Article 274 requires three elements to be present simultaneously: the information must be false, shared deliberately, and cause significant harm.

In this case, they argued, none of those criteria apply. The teenager’s account cannot be classified as false, let alone knowingly false, and the case lacks evidence of financial damage exceeding 10,000 MCI — the legal threshold for criminal prosecution.

The foundation also cited Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Kazakhstan, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression:

It establishes that every person has the right to freely express his opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and disseminate information.

The foundation called for the case to be dropped due to a lack of criminal elements and emphasized that journalists covering tragic events are engaged in socially meaningful work.

Earlier, it was reported that Sandugash Duisenova was summoned to the police in the Jetisu region.

She insists she reported the facts as they were known to her.

In 2023, another case was opened against her but was later dropped. Duisenova received compensation for the unlawful actions.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov