The Almaly District Court in Almaty has begun proceedings in the case of Sanzhar Bokayev, a former adviser to the chairman of the board of JSC National Company KazTransGas and a public activist. At the very first hearings, Judge Zhanat Abenova sternly reminded everyone present of the rules of conduct in the courtroom and of liability for attempts to influence the decision, reports infohub.kz.
A live broadcast was arranged in a separate hall for press representatives and the public. The judge emphasized that any other filming or broadcasting of the proceedings from phones is strictly prohibited.
Abenova also stated that any public assessments and comments in the media or social networks on the merits of the case would be regarded by the court as direct pressure on justice.
Journalists and bloggers were urged not to spread provocations and to refrain from assessments in order not to shape biased public opinion.
Violators of order and those who disobey the orders face immediate removal from the courtroom and punishment for contempt of court.
Recall that former top manager and public figure Sanzhar Bokayev is suspected under several articles at once — fraud, theft, money laundering, illegal logging, and dissemination of knowingly false information (Articles 190, 188, 218, 340, and 274 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan).
The investigation also believes that Bokayev could have organized and financed illegal actions by involving people with low income. According to law enforcement, they were tasked with carrying out logging and thefts for remuneration.