Harsh sentences handed down to media personalities in Kazakhstan worrying, could hamper media pluralism, OSCE Representative says

VIENNA, 4 October 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern that the severe sentences handed down to two prominent media personalities in Kazakhstan could hamper media pluralism in the country.

“It is in no way my intention to infringe on the independence of the judiciary in Kazakhstan, however I was surprised to learn about these two harsh sentences,” Mijatović said. “They could pose a threat to media freedom in the country.”

Seitkazy Mataev, head of Kazakhstan’s National Press Club, and his son, Aset Mataev, head of the news agency KazTag, were charged with the misappropriation of funds and tax evasion, charges which they denied. On 3 October, they were sentenced to six and five years in a penal colony respectively, and are to have their property confiscated, including the premises of the National Press Club.

“The result of these sentences may very well be the closure of a media outlet and the National Press Club, a move that could be detrimental to media pluralism in Kazakhstan,” Mijatović said.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.