Iogan Merkel comments on his own statement on Ablyazov's wife

First deputy Prosecutor General Iogan Merkel. Photo by Danial Okassov©

Kazakhstan General Prosecutor’s office had published Iogan Merkel’s message on its website, Tengrinews.kz reports. Merkel said that journalists misinterpreted his previous statement and he believed it necessary to give more details on the status of Alma Shalabayeva, Mukhtar Ablyazov’s wife. “Alma Shalabayeva is indeed being checked for complicity in illegal issue of (Kazakhstan) national passports in exchange for bribes (detected on October 6, 2012) to several persons, including Shalabayeva herself during her absence in Kazakhstan. On June 4, 2013 the court issued a ruling against the officials of Atyrau migration police and justice department. The charges included article 314 of the Criminal Code (forgery by an official). The ruling has not come into effect yet,” the message states. Merkel writes that Shalavayeva is currently under recognizance not to leave Kazakhstan. No charges were brought against her. Thus, she is considered uncondemned. “The city Almaty was her personal choice. She cannot leave it without an approval from the investigation officer. No applications or complains have been received from Alma Shalabayeva so far,” the website writes. The website also states that Shalabayeva is enjoying all the rights provided by the Constitution of Kazakhstan and the legislation on criminal procedures, including the right for appealing actions of the prosecuting authority in the prosecutor’s office or in court. Earlier Tengrinews.kz citied first deputy Prosecutor General Iogan Merkel as saying that there were no grounds for arresting Alma Shalabayeva . 47-y.o. Alma Shalabayeva and her daughter were deported to Kazakhstan because they were staying in Italy illegally and using fake passports. Italian law-enforcement authorities are currently in search for Mukhtar Ablyazov. On May 29 Italian law-enforcement authorities held a special operation in a house in the suburbs of Rome, where, according to their information, Mukhtar Ablyazov was hiding. The former banker was not found in the house. Police found only his wife and daughter. By Renat Tashkinbayev

Kazakhstan General Prosecutor’s office had published Iogan Merkel’s message on its website, Tengrinews.kz reports. Merkel said that journalists misinterpreted his previous statement and he believed it necessary to give more details on the status of Alma Shalabayeva, Mukhtar Ablyazov’s wife. “Alma Shalabayeva is indeed being checked for complicity in illegal issue of (Kazakhstan) national passports in exchange for bribes (detected on October 6, 2012) to several persons, including Shalabayeva herself during her absence in Kazakhstan. On June 4, 2013 the court issued a ruling against the officials of Atyrau migration police and justice department. The charges included article 314 of the Criminal Code (forgery by an official). The ruling has not come into effect yet,” the message states. Merkel writes that Shalavayeva is currently under recognizance not to leave Kazakhstan. No charges were brought against her. Thus, she is considered uncondemned. “The city Almaty was her personal choice. She cannot leave it without an approval from the investigation officer. No applications or complains have been received from Alma Shalabayeva so far,” the website writes. The website also states that Shalabayeva is enjoying all the rights provided by the Constitution of Kazakhstan and the legislation on criminal procedures, including the right for appealing actions of the prosecuting authority in the prosecutor’s office or in court. Earlier Tengrinews.kz citied first deputy Prosecutor General Iogan Merkel as saying that there were no grounds for arresting Alma Shalabayeva . 47-y.o. Alma Shalabayeva and her daughter were deported to Kazakhstan because they were staying in Italy illegally and using fake passports. Italian law-enforcement authorities are currently in search for Mukhtar Ablyazov. On May 29 Italian law-enforcement authorities held a special operation in a house in the suburbs of Rome, where, according to their information, Mukhtar Ablyazov was hiding. The former banker was not found in the house. Police found only his wife and daughter. By Renat Tashkinbayev

news Mukhtar Ablyazov Kazakhstan Kazakh crime Ablyazov