Suspect Reportedly Admits Trying To Kill Kazakh Journalist

Lukpan Akhmedyarov

One of the suspects in the attempted murder of Kazakh journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov has reportedly confessed his guilt.

Adil Soz, an independent media freedom organization in Kazakhstan, said the lawyer for the 20-year-old suspect, Bagdagul Azhigalieva, confirmed the information.

Azhigalieva said the suspect, a resident of the village of Zhympity in West Kazakhstan Province, "confessed voluntarily" to being part of group that tried to kill Akhmedyarov.

The suspect's name was not given.

Kazakh police are holding two men in connection with the vicious attack on Akhmedyarov, who was stabbed several times and bludgeoned at his house in the town of Oral on the evening of April 19.

Akhmedyarov works for the independent "Uralskaya nedelya" newspaper, known for its hard-hitting reporting.

Two other men were detained for the attack but were later released under travel restrictions.

Based on reporting by Interfax and Tengrinews.kz