Partial Closure of Perizat Kairat's Trial Explained by the Judge
In a significant development, the Specialized Interregional Economic Court of Astana has decided to proceed with the trial of Perizat Kairat, a prominent Kazakh public figure and entrepreneur, on charges of embezzling over 1.5 billion tenges collected for aid to flood victims. The trial, scheduled for July 14 at 10:00, will take place weekly on Mondays and Tuesdays.
However, the court has made a decision to limit the openness of the trial during the questioning of the accused and the examination of materials from the criminal case that constitute banking secrecy. This decision was made to ensure the confidentiality of information relating to an indefinite number of individuals.
The reasons for the partial closure of the trial are not yet fully clear. It is possible that the court is seeking to protect witnesses, prevent the disclosure of sensitive information, or maintain the privacy of vulnerable parties involved in the case.
Perizat Kairat, known as the founder and head of a charitable foundation established in June 2021, was arrested earlier this year. Initially, it was thought that he could not have pulled off such a scam without the help of high-ranking officials. However, the investigation has been completed, and no evidence has been presented to support this claim.
The investigation alleges that some of the funds collected for humanitarian aid were spent on personal needs, including the purchase of luxury real estate, cars, and expensive travel. A video has surfaced showing Mercedes and Lexus worth 200 million tenges, which are said to be Kairat's cars.
The defense had requested a closed trial because the case of Perizat Kairat involves the collection of funds to assist Palestinian residents. Some users have speculated that high-ranking officials may be involved in the case to avoid exposing themselves. However, the court's decision to partially close the trial has been met with criticism, with some suggesting it is an attempt to cover up the case and a violation of Kazakh citizens' right to free access to information.
As the trial progresses, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the alleged embezzlement and the reasons for the partial closure of the trial. It is essential to follow the developments closely to stay informed about this high-profile case in Kazakhstan.
The decision to limit the openness of Perizat Kairat's trial includes the examination of materials from the criminal case that pertain to the banking and finance sector, particularly those that uphold banking secrecy within the industry. The court's partial closure of the trial might also be aimed at protecting sensitive information related to various parties in the banking-and-insurance sector.
