Public figure Marina Ruzmatova sharply criticized KazTAG editor-in-chief Amir Kasenov, who earlier declared a hunger strike after his preventive measure was tightened. She questioned the sincerity of his claims about his serious condition and recalled allegations previously voiced by the journalist's ex-wife, Roza Yesenkulova. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Ruzmatova claimed that Kasenov allegedly misled relatives and state authorities. In particular, she referred to Yesenkulova's accounts of domestic violence and asserted that the journalist had paid minimal alimony for many years while declaring low income.
Additionally, the activist raised the issue of possible unofficial payments to employees of the news agency.
"When will the State Revenue Committee, and especially the Financial Monitoring Agency, check at least KazTAG, or better yet, all his workplaces? Because at least from KazTAG, information leaked that employees receive salaries in envelopes," Ruzmatova wrote.
Roza Yesenkulova also posted Ruzmatova's message on her social media, stating that she awaits comments from competent authorities.
Ruzmatova doubted that the editor-in-chief of a major news agency could support a family on an official salary of 85,000 tenge.
Separately, Ruzmatova commented on Kasenov's hunger strike. In her opinion, statements about his serious condition do not correspond to reality. This was prompted by published photos showing the journalist drinking water.
Official data indicate that Kasenov's life is not in danger. As reported on June 19 by the Almaty Public Health Department, doctors conducted a comprehensive examination, and test results were within normal limits. The patient did not require hospitalization; after infusion therapy, his condition improved, and he was referred for 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 regarding her ex-husband's income.
Previously, Kasenov's condition was commented on by the Almaty Health Department. Doctors conducted a comprehensive examination (laboratory tests and ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity and urinary system) — all results were within normal limits.
According to the department, the patient does not need hospitalization. The patient received infusion therapy, his condition improved dynamically, and he was referred for further outpatient treatment.
On June 15, the Almaly District Court of Almaty began hearing a criminal case related to KazTAG's publications 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 for 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 was also found that there was an agreement between them to pay 20% of profits, which contradicted the broker's internal rules. Additionally, 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 dispute resolution. 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 spreading knowingly false information. Later, Kasenov was placed in a temporary detention facility in Astana. He claimed psychological pressure and torture, but law enforcement agencies reported that 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 on hooliganism charges, but later the preventive measure was softened to house arrest. Subsequently, Mataev's lawyer stated that her client had no complaints about the investigation regarding this episode and was not subjected to illegal methods during detention.