(23 February 2026 | Source: Orda.kz )
Yerbol Akhmetzhanov has been dismissed from his position as acting chair of the Zhambyl Regional Court by a decision of the Supreme Judicial Council. The judge, known for the Vladislav Chelakh case, had led the court since 2020.
CAREER IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
According to ORDA, before his appointment to the Zhambyl region, Yerbol Akhmetzhanov worked as a judge of the Almaty Garrison Military Court. He later held the position of judge and chair of the Specialised Inter-District Military Court for Criminal Cases, and subsequently headed the Civil Cases Panel of the Military Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
THE VLADISLAV CHELAKH CASE
Akhmetzhanov is well known to the general public for the case of Vladislav Chelakh. In December 2012, in Taldykorgan, a court under his chairmanship found Chelakh guilty of murdering 15 people at the 'Arkhankerhen' border post and sentenced him to life imprisonment in a high-security colony.
This case became one of the most high-profile in modern Kazakh history.
PUBLIC INCIDENT WITH ANNIVERSARY
Last year, the media reported that local officials attended Akhmetzhanov's anniversary celebration at the 'Baksarai' restaurant in official cars. Vehicles with state number plates 945 and 008, assigned to other government departments, were spotted near the building.
The materials presented do not clarify whether an investigation was conducted into this matter or whether any decisions were made.
POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT
According to ORDA sources, Yerlan Kosmuratov may be appointed as the new chair of the Zhambyl Regional Court. He currently holds the position of judge of the Supreme Court. There was no official confirmation of this information at the time of publication.