The editor-in-chief of the KazTAG media agency, Amir Kassenov, stated that his house arrest had expired and published a video address on social media. However, the Almaty City Court issued an official clarification stating that the preventive measure remained in effect. Later, during a court hearing, the court changed Kassenov's preventive measure to pre-trial detention.
WHAT KASSENOV SAID
In his published video address, Kassenov stated that, in his opinion, his house arrest expired on the evening of 14 June.
“I am not aware of any extension, unless, of course, this decision was made once again without my involvement,” he said.
In the address, the editor-in-chief of KazTAG also commented on the possibility of reconciliation between the parties in the criminal case and stated his readiness to discuss specific terms for settling the dispute.
WHAT THE COURT RESPONDED
On the same day, the press service of the Almaty courts published an official commentary in response to Kassenov's statements about the expiry of the preventive measure.
According to the court's clarification, after the criminal case was received for proceedings by the Almaly District Court, the issue of the preventive measure was considered in accordance with the procedure established by law, and on 5 June, a decision was made to keep the house arrest unchanged.
In this regard, the court stated that the claims about the expiry of the house arrest do not correspond to the content of the court ruling.
Furthermore, the statement notes that the relevant decision is published in the ‘Judicial Cabinet’ system, which is accessible to the parties to the proceedings and their lawyers.
The court also reminded that in the event of a violation of the established restrictions, the preventive measure may be changed to a stricter one.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE COURT HEARING
Later, during the court proceedings, the Almaly District Court of Almaty changed Amir Kassenov's preventive measure from house arrest to pre-trial detention.
Thus, issues concerning compliance with the restrictions set by the court, which had previously been the subject of public statements and disputes, are now directly linked to one of the key procedural decisions in the case.
The court will assess the arguments of the parties, as well as all the circumstances of the criminal case, during the further course of the proceedings.