Today, the ICJ has conducted a trial observation in disbarment proceedings against lawyer Yerlan Gazymzhanov before the Saryarkyn Court of Nur-Sultan.
Erlan Gazymzhanov is facing disbarment following a lawsuit brought by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The lawyer is accused of violating court rules by publishing on a social network an archive video from the hearing in a case in which he alleged inappropriate behaviour by the judge.
The case raises issues of the lawyer’s freedom of expression and possible improper interference in his work.
The ICJ will carry out an assessment of the case and its compliance with international standards following its observation of the proceedings.
Another lawyer, Amanzhol Mukhamedyarov is facing a disbarment lawsuit on the same allegations.
Mukhamedyarov’s case will be heard in separate proceedings on 4 February in Esil district court of Nursultan.
Dr Stefan Stobl, a lawyer from Munich (Germany) and a member of the ICJ Section Germany, observed today’s hearing on behalf of the ICJ.
Additional information:
Read ICJ’s trial observation manual
The ICJ has previously expressed concern about increasing restrictions on the independence of lawyers in Kazakhstan:
Kazakhstan: ICJ alarmed at government interference in legal profession
Kazakhstan: the ICJ calls to immediately drop prosecution of lawyer Bauyrzhan Azanov
