Kazakh Journalists Banned From Courtroom At Murder Trial Of Former Cabinet Minister

Judge Aizhan Qulbaeva on April 10 banned journalists from the high-profile murder trial of former cabinet member Quandyq Bishimbaev after several members of the jury were shown on a television program a day earlier. The judge reiterated her previous statement, saying that photos and videos showing jury members are illegal as they can be used to influence the jury's final decision in the trial. Bishimbaev was arrested in November on suspicion of viciously beating his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, to death in a restaurant. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.