Kazakh border guard trial starts
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 19 November 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakh border guard trial starts, 19 November 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/50b4d0df5.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 19, 2012
Vladislav Chelakh is accused of killing 15 people.
The trial of border guard Vladislav Chelakh, who is accused of killing 15 people, has started in Kazakhstan.
Chelakh is accused of killing 14 fellow border guards and a forest ranger in late May while stationed at the remote Arkankergen border post.
Chelakh initially admitted to killing all 15 people but later said his confession was obtained under pressure and has said the post was attacked.
Chelakh's supporters have questioned how the 19-year-old was able to kill so many people who had weapons.
Judge Yerbol Akhmetzhanov had ordered the trial, which is being held in the eastern city of Taldyqorgan, to be open to the media but Chelakh requested that the press be removed from the courtroom because he was unable to hear the judge over all the noise.
Based on reporting by Novosti-Kazakhstan and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
