What Are Chelakh’s Chances Of Getting Parole?

Lawyer Gulmira Shaldykova, who defended Vladislav Chelakh — sentenced to life imprisonment for killing 15 people at the Arkankergen post — explained whether he has a chance of parole, Orda.kz reports.

Gulmira Shaldykova represented Chelakh in 2019, when he filed a petition for a review of his case. Now the lawyer cannot take on his case due to her workload, but she admitted she would like to see his release.

My more than 20 years of experience, how long I have been dealing with criminal cases, suggest that he is not involved in committing this crime. Chelakh’s initial testimony was when he was first detained: ‘I did not commit this crime, I am not involved.’ According to the case materials, at the time the incident occurred, he left the border post. He was not there when there was shooting at the border post and when it was set on fire, the lawyer said.

Shaldykova believes her former client’s case is politicized.

In 2019, he tried to get the case reviewed because there was a change of power then, and Toqayev became president. Perhaps he believed that there would be a different view of this case. He pinned his hopes on ‘New Kazakhstan,’ she added.

Now, Vladislav Chelakh has the opportunity to file a petition and be released on parole.

Any option that will mitigate his punishment is acceptable. Even if it is parole. Since he is being held unlawfully in places of detention. He is, in fact, a victim of circumstances. He simply survived when others were shot, Gulmira Shaldykova maintains.

In 2012, 14 servicemen and a ranger were killed at the Arkankergen border post. For this crime, 19-year-old private Vladislav Chelakh was sentenced to life imprisonment.

He initially confessed, but later retracted his testimony, stating that the outpost was attacked by unknown persons.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya