The specialist administrative offences court in Aktau has dismissed a case against city prosecutor Yerbolat Abidirov, which was opened following an incident at Almaty airport on 27 August.
On 9 September, the Telegram channel "Yedilov Online" reported that Abidirov had been detained by officers of the transport police department at Almaty airport for "drunken hooliganism".
According to the channel, administrative protocols were drawn up against the prosecutor under Article 440, Part 1 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Drinking alcoholic beverages or appearing in public places in a state of intoxication") and Article 434, Part 1 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Swearing in public places, offensive harassment of citizens and other actions violating public order").
Meanwhile, the publication "Ak Zhaik", citing the court ruling, provided further details of the incident.
According to available information, Abidirov met two brothers — fellow countrymen of his at Almaty airport. A conflict allegedly arose on the bus transporting passengers to the plane. The following day, police drew up an administrative protocol against the prosecutor. However, in court, the brothers stated that there had been no conflict and that they had no complaints against Abidirov.
Furthermore, the court established that Abidirov's actions did not constitute an offence under Article 434, Part 1 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The court took into account the following circumstances:
- the prosecutor did not use foul language or harass those around him;
- the bus in which the incident occurred is classed as special transport, not a public place;
- an expert examination confirmed that Abidirov was "in full possession of his faculties, his speech was coherent, and he was orientated in time, situation and his own identity".
On 10 September, the case was dismissed due to the absence of an administrative offence. However, on 11 September, the Chief Transport Prosecutor's Office stated that it was conducting a review of the legality of the court ruling to dismiss the case concerning Abidirov.
Initial reports on social media about "drunken hooliganism" were not confirmed in court. Nevertheless, given the initiated review, it is too early to draw final conclusions about the legality of the case dismissal.