Ablyazov's lawyers are allowed to keep his whereabouts secret

Addleshaw Goddard, representing the interests of former BTA Bank’s chairman Mukhtar Ablyazov in London’s High Court, is not obliged to disclose whereabouts of their client, The Lawyer writes. Such ruling was made when the Court of Appeal agreed to review the firm’s complaint against Ablyazov’s sentence. The hearing on the claim is scheduled for July. According to Judge Tim Dutton, the obligation to disclose the information about the client would deprive him from the right to legal priviledge. “Whilst the court may have jurisdiction to make ancillary orders for the disclosure of information to ensure the effectiveness of an injunction the court does not have an unrestricted jurisdiction to make orders which may impinge upon the right to confidential and privileged legal advice,” Dutton added. Earlier Tengrinews.kz English reported that ex-chairman of BTA Bank appealed the court’s ruling on March 8. London’s High Court sentenced him to 22 months in jail on February 16. BTA Bank’s lawyers stated that the bank’s ex-chairman has to be deprived of the right to appeal this ruling as he was on the run. Later the court ruled out to deprive him of the right to defend in court if he does not give in to British court by March 9. However, as the appeal was filed one day prior to this deadline, the decision of depriving Ablyazov of the right to defend will not come into effect until the appeal is reviewed.