ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Kazakh journalist Zhamila Maricheva went on trial on May 2 for an online article she wrote supporting RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Radio Azattyq.
Maricheva was detained late on April 24 while she was out jogging and charged with distributing "false information."
The charge stems from an article she posted on her ProTenge Telegram channel in January where she raised the issue of problems faced by Radio Azattyq on obtaining official accreditation from the Foreign Ministry, which had sparked fears the government was trying to stifle independent media.
Maricheva praised Radio Azattyq for what she called its professionalism, stressing the importance of the broadcaster's programs in Kazakhstan.
Another Kazakh journalist, Askhat Niyazov, reposted Maricheva's article at the time and was charged with slander.
A court last week acquitted Niyazov and closed the case, stressing that there was nothing criminal in Niyazov's actions.
Maricheva reiterated her innocence at the trial on May 2 and stated that police violated her rights by detaining her for questioning while she was jogging instead officially summoning her to a police station.
Maricheva's lawyer, Asel Toqaeva, asked the court to dismiss the case against her client, and that Maricheva’s constitutional rights were violated by police during her detention and questioning.
In January 2023, the Foreign Ministry denied accreditation to 36 journalists of Radio Azattyq. Some of the correspondents had not been able to extend their accreditation since late 2022.
The situation was exacerbated when a group of Kazakh lawmakers approved a draft bill that would allow the tightly controlled former Soviet republic's authorities to refuse accreditation to foreign media outlets and their reporters on grounds of national security concerns.
RFE/RL reached an agreement with the Kazakh Foreign Ministry over the accreditations less than two weeks ago.
Maricheva's trial was adjourned until May 6.
