Kazakhstan: Former 'Orda' Editor-in-Chief Sentenced to Eight Years

A court in Almaty has sentenced Gulnara Bazhenova, the former editor-in-chief of the publication "Orda," to eight years in prison, suspended for two years. The sentence also includes a five-year ban on her practicing journalism and engaging in business.

Bazhenova was convicted on charges of illegal entrepreneurship, embezzlement of particularly large sums, and spreading deliberately false information. The prosecution had initially sought an eight-year sentence with a two-year suspension. During the proceedings, Bazhenova, who was brought to court in a wheelchair due to ill health, repeatedly complained of poor health, but the judge denied requests to postpone the trial.

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The state had frozen my personal accounts at the time, and the educational institution did not accept cash. I intended to reimburse the entire amount, but I didn't have time before house arrest.

The charges of illegal entrepreneurship stem from allegations that Bazhenova conducted real estate transactions without the status of an individual entrepreneur, failing to pay over 12 million tenge in taxes from property sales. The embezzlement charge involves approximately 88 million tenge. Bazhenova stated that 4.6 million tenge were transferred for her son's education because her personal accounts were frozen and the school did not accept cash. She intended to repay the sum but was placed under house arrest before she could. She also noted that her personal investments in the company significantly exceeded the amount in question.

Furthermore, Bazhenova transferred 83 million tenge to an employee, Islam Abdukaparov, over several years, explaining that these funds were used to pay journalists in cash. Abdukaparov, the company accountant, and other employees corroborated this in their testimonies, stating they signed receipts for cash payments. However, the court refused to include these receipts as evidence. The charge of spreading false information relates to eight articles, two written by Bazhenova and six by former "Orda" employees, who confirmed the authenticity of their work. Bazhenova had been under house arrest since December 1, 2025, when authorities searched the publication's offices. She had previously alleged pressure and a hostile takeover attempt. "Orda" has declined to cover the trial due to a conflict of interest.

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These funds were cashed out and given to journalists as salaries.