Kazakh Journalist Detained Amid Alleged Defamation Case Against Freedom Finance

Amir Kasenov, editor-in-chief of the Kazakh news agency KazTAG, has been detained in Astana over allegations of defaming brokerage company Freedom Finance, part of the holding owned by billionaire Timur Turlov. Following his detention, Kasenov announced a hunger strike in protest against the proceedings.

Local reports indicate that under Kasenov, KazTAG published more than a hundred articles claiming financial misconduct by Freedom Finance, including accusations of embezzlement and offshore fund transfers. Freedom Holding Corp. has described the coverage as manipulative and lacking factual evidence, framing it as a targeted information campaign.

In a Telegram statement, Kasenov said: "I have begun an indefinite hunger strike in protest against my unlawful prosecution based on a knowingly false report. If my health suffers, it is my conscious choice because journalism is my only purpose." He added that his reporting provided a platform for investors who could not seek redress through official authorities or the company itself.

Earlier this month, Kasenov and fellow executive Aset Mataev were formally recognized as suspects in a criminal case alleging repeated dissemination of knowingly false information about Freedom Finance. The case comes amid ongoing developments in Kazakhstan's financial sector, including a memorandum of understanding signed between Binance's Kazakhstan office and Freedom Finance Global, part of Turlov's international holding. The situation has raised questions about press freedom and corporate reputation protection in the context of Kazakhstan's regulatory environment.