Well-known Kazakh journalist Amangeldy Batyrbekov was released from jail late on July 23 after serving a 20-day term he was handed after a court in the southern town of Saryaghash found him guilty of publishing false information about lawmaker Bolatbek Nazhmetdinuly. Batyrbekov told RFE/RL he will continue to appeal the court's decision. The Almaty-based media-rights group Adil Soz (A Just Word) called Batyrbekov's incarceration "arbitrary." The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists in a statement also called for the release of Batyrbekov, who has faced trial for politically motivated libel charges in the past. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Journalist Freed After 20 Days In Jail On Libel Charge
Amangeldy Batyrbekov (right) takes a selfie after his trial on July 3.