Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva has commented on the sentence handed to journalist Alexandra Alyokhova, urging people to wait for the case to be heard on appeal. According to the minister, her department is not entitled to interfere in the administration of justice.
WHAT THE MINISTER SAID
As Aida Balayeva reported on her Facebook page, the Ministry of Culture and Information does not have the authority to interfere in judicial proceedings.
"I am confident that the appellate court will thoroughly and objectively examine all the circumstances of the case and reach a lawful and fair decision," the minister said.
HOW THE STATEMENT WAS RECEIVED
The minister's post drew a response from communications specialist Fatima Kosayeva. She asked why, in the minister's view, the court of first instance had been unable to reach an objective and fair decision.
Kosayeva also expressed the opinion that the sentence imposed was excessively harsh, comparing it with certain high-profile criminal cases.
CONTEXT
On 3 August, a court found Alexandra Alyokhova guilty of the unlawful distribution of personal data. She was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the sentence suspended for five years — until 2031, and was also banned from working as a journalist for three years.
