In Almaty, a court has chosen a preventive measure for the general director of MIA "KazTAG" Asset Mataev — he has been placed in custody for a period of two months. The decision was made as part of the investigation into a criminal case of hooliganism.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE COURT'S DECISION
According to the Almaty Police Department (PD), the arrest has been sanctioned for all participants in the incident.
"All participants have been identified and detained. The court has chosen a preventive measure of arrest for a period of two months against them. The actions of all parties will be given a final legal assessment. Everyone will be held accountable in accordance with the law," stated a message from the Almaty PD.
The investigation is being conducted under article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CC RK) ("Hooliganism").
The Almaty PD also stated that no serious injuries were recorded among the participants, and their condition allows for their detention in custody.
DEFENCE POSITION
Lawyer Rena Kerimova previously stated that the conflict may have started due to a mistake in identifying one of the participants.
"Asset's friend mistook one of the lads for a girl, which I understand is what caused the conflict. Although the lad does indeed have a very strange appearance: long red hair, red eyebrows, chains, etc. In the dark, around 2 a.m., after a get-together with a friend, from behind — it would be easy to get them mixed up," the lawyer reported on her page on Facebook.
According to her, the criminal prosecution against Asset Mataev under article 274 of the CC RK ("Distribution of knowingly false information") has been terminated. Additional details of this decision are not specified in open materials.
Currently, Mataev has the status of a suspect. Only the court can make final conclusions on the case.
CONTEXT
Earlier, the detention of Asset Mataev became known following an incident near the Dostyk Plaza shopping centre.
Later, lawyer Rena Kerimova confirmed the fact of his detention, and also stated that her client had sustained injuries and undergone a forensic medical examination.