An Astana court has ordered independent newspaper Law and Justice to close, invoking errors in the newspapers' registration.

The newspaper's owners say the forced closure is a reponse to their reporting on corruption in Kazakhstan's judiciary. Law and Justice announced their intention to appeal on ruling on February 14th.

Owner and editor Tokbergen Abiev says the problem with registration comes from a mix-up between two different companies under the same name. He maintains, however, that the paper's controversial content is the true reason for the closure.

"We always report about the activities of judges, about illegal rulings, and violations of the rights of citizens," he said to RFE/RL's Kazakh Service.

Source: Eurasia.net