KazTAG’s chief redactor is currently under detention, while his physical and mental state is deteriorating.
In April 2025, the media kazTAG published 12 articles within two days, the headlines of which contained accusations against Freedom founder Timur Turlov of withdrawing money offshore, creating a pyramid scheme, declared “Izvestia”. The company Freedom Finance then denied those accusations.
On December 25th of the same year, KazTAG’s general director Asset Matayev and editor-in-chief Amir Kassenov were summoned to the police station on the basis of an investigation into the dissemination of knowingly false information. Amir Kassenov was later placed under house arrest.
The charge is under article 274 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, which carries up to 3 years in prison.Therefore, no further explanations were given.
This is taking place right after the both of them were targeted by a complaint filed by Freedom Finance, a company controlled by Russian-born millionaires. “in connection with publications about fraudulent schemes involving the company’s leadership,” KazTAG reported.
Indeed, he announced the beginning of his hunger strike on Telegram, which started right after the police changed his house arrest into a custody, on June 15th, since the trial against him started. He was taken to the hospital because of his condition earlier. Amir Kassenov’s advocate, Akromat Mukhtarov, declared that the current state of his client was becoming dangerous.
Therefore Amir Kassenov will continue his hunger strike for the time he will be detained. For him, it is not about fighting the decision, nor was it any demonstration of selflessness, but a “civic protest against what he considers an injustice.”, reported KazTAG.
As a result, the non-profitable organisation Reporters Without Borders (MSF) is concerned about the situation of Mister Kassenov and is asking to release him.
On Tuesday June 23rd, the Judge Yernar Kasymbekov stated that the next audience will only take place on June 29th because of the physical state of Amir Kassenov, that made him incapable of attending it.
On June 2nd, Kassenov’s advocate, Yulia Malyukova, lost any confidence about the impartiality of the case.
As we know, TagKAZ is a media that covers the political and sensible subjects, mostly about politics, and this case against those two members may be linked to the activities of the detained members.
The Court lastly banned the implied parties to this Criminal Case to make any comment to media, until the trial is finished..
