An administrative court in Astana opened proceedings in the case of blogger Yerbolat Zhanabylov, initiated over a domestic dispute. At the very start of the hearing, the defendant asked the court to restrict public and press access, according to infohub.kz.
"I ask you, respected court, that I not be filmed and that journalists not be present, to make the case closed. This is personal life; I think they don't need to know about it," the blogger said.
His wife, Elmira Tolegenova, also addressed the court, noting that she would like their personal relationship to remain behind closed doors.
After these statements, the journalists present were asked to leave the courtroom.
Note that the case against Yerbolat Zhanabylov was initiated under Article 73, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan — "Unlawful actions in the sphere of family and domestic relations."
Part 1 of Article 73 covers obscene language, offensive harassment, humiliation, damage to household items, and other actions expressing disrespect toward persons in family and domestic relations with the offender, disturbing their peace, committed in a dwelling, if these actions do not contain signs of a criminally punishable act. This entails a warning or assignment to 20 hours of community service or administrative arrest for 5 days.
Earlier, blogger Elmira Tolegenova said in a social media address that she is divorcing Yerbolat Zhanabylov. She also commented on a recent conflict with her husband — a video circulated on social media in which she hid in a wardrobe and locked herself inside.
It later became known that Yerbolat Zhanabylov was held accountable after a domestic conflict with his wife, Elmira Tolegenova.
Also recall that on April 27, a verdict was handed down regarding the bloggers. The judge agreed with the terms proposed by the prosecutor — the bloggers were found guilty of illegal entrepreneurship and legalization (laundering) of money and (or) other property obtained by criminal means.
The court also ordered the confiscation of iPhone 16 (17 units) and Hyundai Elantra cars (8 units) purchased by Zhanabylov and Tolegenova with criminal proceeds.