Bigeldy Gabdullin

Affiliated media: CentralAsiaMonitor, Radiotochka, Editor in chief, site manager

Incident date: January 24, 2017

Attack type:

• Criminal/administrative prosecution excluding (1), (2) and (3)

Source: Adil Soz

Location: Kazakhstan, Almaty Province, Almaty

Additional information:

On 15th November 2016, Bigeldy Gabdullin, the head of CentralAsiaMonitor and the internet portal Radiotochka.kz, was arrested. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau accused him of extortion. According to the investigation, "Gabdullin, using the government-controlled outlets "CentralAsiaMonitor" and "Radiotochka.kz", intensified an information attack against heads of state bodies by publishing negative materials that denigrated their business reputations." In this way, he extorted state orders from criticised officials for his media, paying for the already laudatory materials. According to official information, Gabdullin pleaded guilty, repented and actively cooperated with the investigation. On 24th January, the court found Gabdullin guilty of extortion (article 194 part 4 point 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and sentenced him to 5 years of restriction of liberty, as well as imposed probation for five years. In addition, according to the verdict, Gabdullin is prohibited from holding positions in local government, senior positions related to organisational distribution and material-responsible functions in the public sector and for commercial organisations, up to 10 years. The seizure of Gabdullin's movable and immovable property (real estate) has been lifted. Gabdullin himself was released from custody in the courtroom.