Kazakh Judge Dismissed For Alleged Links To Extremists Exonerated

Judge Aghyzbek Tolegenov (file photo)

AQTOBE, Kazakhstan -- A judge in northwestern Kazakhstan who was dismissed in September for his reported connection with extremist organizations has been exonerated by a military court, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Officials at the Aqtobe Garrison Military Court told RFE/RL the tribunal ruled that Aghyzbek Tolegenov has no ties to any extremist organization. They said the court did not find Tolegenov's name in any documents submitted to the court by the Aqtobe regional Committee for National Security.

Tolegenov, a judge Aqtobe City Court, was sacked by the Aqtobe oblast court's internal control council on the basis of reports that he attends a mosque in Aqtobe regularly and meets with members of alleged terrorist groups, including one called Tablig-i-Jamaat (Society for Spreading Faith).

Tolegenov told RFE/RL in October that the accusations are baseless. He said he is a practicing Muslim but denied any contacts with any terrorist group or organization.

Tolegenov has worked in the judiciary for 18 years, more than 14 of them as a judge.

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