Editor-in-chief of MI Agency «KazTAG» Amir Kassenov recorded a video address to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In the address, Kassenov stated his position regarding the criminal case under which he is under house arrest.
WHAT IS KNOWN
The address was published by the journalist's close friend, Yeldar Zhurgenov.
According to Zhurgenov, the video address was recorded on 18 May 2026 and sent through closed channels to the Presidential Administration and the Prosecutor General's Office. It was also received by the President's press secretary, Aibek Smadiyarov, and the president of the international foundation for freedom of speech, «Adil Soz» Karlygash Dzhankulova.
Zhurgenov reported that the journalist's wife, Aigul Kassenova, asked for the video to be published in the event the case was sent to court or if extraordinary circumstances arose. According to him, on 20 May 2026, Karlygash Dzhankulova confirmed receipt of the address.
WHAT STATEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE ADDRESS
In his address, Amir Kassenov stated that he considers his criminal prosecution unlawful and links it to his professional activities. He also expressed complaints about the actions of the investigative bodies, the prosecutor's office, and the court, alleging violations of his rights during the investigation.
«In effect, I've been locked up, banned from accessing the internet, working on a computer, or talking on the phone. I can't even communicate with my own mother – the only people I'm allowed to interact with, apart from my wife and three children, are the police, the court, the prosecutor, and my lawyers,» he said in the video address.
In the address, the journalist mentions businessman Timur Turlov, the activities of the company Freedom Finance, as well as issues related to publications by the KazTAG agency.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE CRIMINAL CASE
Kassenov reported that he has been under house arrest for about six months. He stated his intention to seek an open court hearing with the possibility of journalists and the public attending.
«I have nothing to hide. I know for sure that in open court I will be able to prove both my innocence and the fabricated nature of the criminal case. At the same time, a closed process will only confirm everything I have said and remain a shameful stain on the history of post-January New Kazakhstan,» Amir Kassenov stated.
In his opinion, the indictment was sent to the prosecutor before the defence had finished reviewing the case materials. These statements reflect the position of the journalist and his family.
There were no official comments from law enforcement agencies regarding these allegations at the time of publication.
FAMILY'S REACTION
According to Aigul Kassenova, the family discussed the situation with the children and the possible consequences of the criminal case's development. She also spoke about the family's position regarding the alleged demands to remove critical materials and cease covering certain topics.
CONTEXT
It will be recalled that on 18 July, following a complaint by Freedom Holding, a criminal case was opened against the management of KazTAG in connection with publications about company employees Timur Bekov and Vitaliy Svetovoy. According to KazTAG materials, dozens of clients suffered as a result of their actions. Freedom, for its part, explained that Bekov and Svetovoy acted outside the company, and clients dealt with them directly as private individuals.
Furthermore, the FBRK editorial office received an internal document from Freedom Holding analysing KazTAG's publications about the company's activities. In the document, prepared by the holding's lawyers, a detailed breakdown was provided of 25 statements from the agency's materials which the company believes to be false. The analysis includes specific quotes and comments for each statement.