Kazakh court drops extremism charges against pastor
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 January 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakh court drops extremism charges against pastor, 24 January 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5331447b12.html [accessed 19 May 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. |
January 24, 2014
By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
Bakhytzhan/Bahtzhan Kashkumbaev, a Christian Presbyterian Church pastor, in the courtroom in Astana on January 22.
ASTANA – A court in Astana has dropped extremism charges against a Kazakh Presbyterian pastor, Bakhytzhan Kashkumbaev.
Kashkumbaev's lawyer, Nurlan Beisekeev, told RFE/RL on January 24 that although the court's decision is good news it was made illegally, since he was not present at the hearing.
Beisekeev said he left the court building on January 22 after the judge adjourned the trial until January 31.
However, he said the judge resumed the hearing later in the day, despite Kashkumbaev's refusal to participate without legal counsel.
Beisekeev said the judge dropped the extremism charges but maintained a charge of "inflicting damages" on a parishioner through his sermons.
Kashkumbaev, 67, was arrested in May 2013.
He and his supporters insist the case against him is politically motivated.
Kazakh and international human rights organizations have urged authorities to release him.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
