A press conference has taken with attorneys Aiman Umarova, Bauyrzhan Azanov and human rights activist Yevgeni Zhovtis. During the press conference speakers told about lawyers' rights and the pressure which is received Kazakhstani lawyers from the official bodies, especially about independent defenders.
Recently, a case has been raised regarding to a lawyer Bauyrzhan Azanov under the article "Distribution of misleading information". However, he confirms that he had been working under the law and protect the rights of the victim. He said that he was involved in the criminal case because of revealing violence against a seven-year-old boy in the South Kazakhstan region.
One of the lawyers, Aiman Umarova, who took part at the press conference mentioned that her rights has been frequently infringed as well. In addition, she said that these days the rights of defence lawyers are very narrow and their existing rights are limited.
Defence lawyer, Yevgeni Zhovtis, was persecuted by the authorities and he claimed that lawyers who are involved in various cases are independent and active defenders. That is why they are subjected to pressure by the official bodies.
Aiman Umarova said she was a defence lawyer for the criminal case Bauyrzhan Azanov and they are preparing for the trial.
Human rights defenders and activists of Astana and Almaty are supporting the attorney Bauyrzhan Azanov right now.
As stated by the human rights activist Diana Okremova, residents of Astana are calling to sign appeal letter to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Prosecutor General. The majority of those who supported the call are urban residents and activists.
According to the lawyer, Azanov provided his help with free of charge money to the seven-year-boy, and he should not be prosecuted for his civic activity.
Recall, on March 13, Sharipa Batyrbekova, a resident of Abay village of Saryagash district, South Kazakhstan region, said that her seven-year-old grandchild was raped by the senior classmates many times and she complained twice to local police about this incident. However, the local police accepted her granting in the third time. This message distributed widely through the social networks and attracted the attention of the local media and caused a lot of public anger.
Translated by Nazerke Syundyukova