Bazhkenova Sends Message From House Arrest, Lawyer Files Complaints Over Police Actions

As previously reported, Orda.kz editor-in-chief Gulnara Bazhkenova is under house arrest. Through her lawyer, she shared a message to colleagues and supporters, Orda.kz reports.

Lawyer Murat Adam published the text on Facebook:

My friends, I am calm and unbroken, and I will defend myself. I am under house arrest; there is nothing else left for me. And this period will also end — I hope for law and justice. Thank you for your support —it is very important to me right now. Thank you for being with me, and thank you to all my fellow journalists.

Adam said he has already submitted multiple petitions to the police, as well as complaints to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Almaty Prosecutor’s Office regarding what he considers unlawful actions during the searches and seizure of property belonging to Bazhkenova and the newsroom.

He also filed a criminal complaint for obstructing his legal work.

Yesterday, when Gulnara Bazhkenova was detained, she refused to give any testimony in my absence and refused to sign the documents she was asked to sign in my absence. She demanded that they call me and invite me to the proceedings. But, as often happens, they ignored her, and they wouldn't let me see her, as you saw for yourself yesterday in the media and on social media. Here he is, our 'Jana (new - Ed.) Kazakhstan,'
 the lawyer added.

Orda.kz has repeatedly reported pressure on its staff — threats, surveillance, leaks, and hacker attacks — as well as repeated attempts at a corporate takeover aimed at removing management and seizing control of the media outlet.

On December 1, searches were conducted at the editorial offices in Almaty and Astana, as well as at Bazhkenova’s home. Lawyers were blocked from entering. Later, police took the editor-in-chief, the head of the Almaty office, the news editor, and the accountant in for questioning. Phones were confiscated, a safe in the Almaty office was broken into, and the staff payroll was seized.

The police have announced the opening of criminal cases for disseminating false information.

In response to the situation, the international foundation for the protection of freedom of speech, “Adil Soz,” issued a public statement expressing concern.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko