The condition of KazTAG editor-in-chief Amir Kasenov, who declared a hunger strike after his preventive measure was tightened, is stable and his life is not in danger. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
"Doctors conducted a comprehensive examination (laboratory tests and ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity and urinary system) — all results are within the normal range," the statement said.
According to the department, the patient does not require hospitalization. He received infusion therapy, his condition has improved, and he has been referred for further outpatient treatment.
On Monday, June 15, Amir Kasenov, upon learning that his preventive measure had been changed from house arrest to detention, declared a hunger strike.
Earlier, journalist Roza Yesenkulova, Kasenov's ex-wife, spoke about domestic violence, reasons for divorce, and the lack of transparency of her ex-husband's income.
Previously, the Almaly District Court of Almaty began hearing a criminal case related to publications by the KazTAG agency about the activities of Freedom Finance. In 2025, KazTAG published over 250 articles about Freedom Finance and its founder Timur Turlov.
The materials contained allegations of fraud, a financial pyramid, and withdrawal of client funds. One of the main reasons for the publications was statements from company clients, including pensioner Karlygash Kaparova, who accused former employee Temirlan Bekov of stealing money. Later, the Department of Economic Investigations in Astana terminated the criminal case against Bekov due to the absence of a crime.
The investigation established that the client voluntarily gave Bekov access to her account data, despite knowing about his dismissal. It also turned out that there was an agreement between them to pay 20% of the profits, which contradicted the broker's internal rules. In addition, the transactions were confirmed by the client herself via SMS codes. Freedom Finance linked the publications to a conflict that arose after the company refused out-of-court settlement. In February 2026, the Medeu District Court of Almaty upheld the broker's lawsuit to protect business reputation and ordered the agency to refute the information deemed false.
In December 2025, KazTAG General Director Aset Mataev and Editor-in-Chief Amir Kasenov were named suspects in a case of knowingly spreading false information. Later, Kasenov was placed in a temporary detention facility in Astana. He claimed psychological pressure and torture, but law enforcement agencies said the investigative actions were conducted in accordance with the law.
In March 2026, Mataev became a defendant in another criminal case after a conflict in Almaty. According to police, on the night of March 18, he and his acquaintance, while intoxicated, provoked a brawl, insulted passersby, and damaged a car. The court initially sanctioned a two-month arrest for hooliganism, but later the preventive measure was softened to house arrest. Later, Mataev's lawyer stated that her client had no complaints about the investigation regarding this episode and was not subjected to illegal methods of influence during detention.