Kazakhstan Court Hearing Sparks Concerns Over Impartiality in Sherzat Polat Case

A court hearing in Kazakhstan is underway, focusing on the death of Sherzat Polat. Nine individuals face charges ranging from murder to assault. A key point of contention involves the judge's refusal to allow the defense to call additional witnesses and experts. Defense attorney, Mr. Abbenov, stated, "The judge, Mr. Zhanazaqov, is not looking at the case objectively." This denial has raised concerns about the fairness of the trial. The prosecution maintains that the defense's request was made under emotional duress. The trial continues, with the possibility of sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years for the accused.