Qantar Case: Court Closed Trial Concerning Zhagiparov's and Auez Kapsalanov's Deaths

The Almaty garrison's military court has moved to close proceedings in a high-profile case involving the deaths of two civilians during the January 2022 events, Orda reports.

Judge Aidar Sekenov cited the defense's request and Paragraph 5 of Article 47 of Kazakhstan's Criminal Procedure Code, "Maintenance of Confidentiality."

The norm of this article states that "evidence containing information constituting state secrets shall be examined in a closed court session.

The ruling cannot be appealed or reviewed by prosecutors.

The case, which began in December 2024, concerns the deaths of Yerlan Zhagiparov, a prominent volunteer with the Petroglyph Hunters Society and advocate for preserving the Arkharly tract's historical monuments, and Auez Kapsalanov.

 Initially, the defense and prosecution sought to close the trial due to 26 volumes with documents marked "For official use only."

Judge Sekenov had allowed media presence except during the examination of the sensitive documents.

Prosecutors claim that both victims, strangers to each other, were fatally shot in Republic Square on January 6, 2022. 

The defendant, retired Lieutenant Colonel Aitchan Aubakirov, formerly served as deputy commander for educational, social, and legal work at National Guard military unit 5571.

He faces charges under Part 2 of Article 451 of Kazakhstan's Criminal Code for exceeding authority resulting in grave consequences, which carries a potential prison sentence of five to seven years.

Aubakirov maintains his innocence and is under travel restrictions.

Original Author: Zhanar Kusanova