Prosecution, defense to speak in trial of Kazakh soldier accused of multiple murder
TALDYKORGAN, Kazakhstan. Dec 6 (Interfax) - The prosecution and defense in the trial of Vladislav Chelakh, the Kazakh border guard who is accused of murdering 14 fellow soldiers and a game keeper in the notorious frontier post incident, are due to state their cases on Friday after the Taldykorgan City Court finished a preliminary hearing on Thursday evening.
"We suggest that Chelakh come to the courtroom and make a statement before the [prosecution-defense] debates. He must have something to say. We suggest that you go to him and discuss this with him," Judge Yerbol Akhmetzhanov told Chelakh's defense lawyer, Serik Sarsenov, after the hearing on Thursday.
"Chelakh is categorically against [coming to the courtroom]," Sarsenov said after visiting Chelakh. "Today he said, 'I won't go, but I may go tomorrow.'"
"The court investigation has been finished too early," Sarsenov said. "We haven't explored the physical evidence completely."
However, the prosecution objected, claiming the court had made a comprehensive investigation.