Journalist Aizhan Auelbekova summoned by police over publication

In Taraz, journalist Aizhan Auelbekova has been summoned to the police for an administrative offence report to be drawn up under Article 456-2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan — for disseminating false information and unlawful content.

The case concerns a publication about a man who, according to information received by the journalist, may have been in the area of the village of Otar and in need of assistance. He claimed that he was being held in slavery. Auelbekova said she had video footage, audio messages from the man and his geolocation data, after which she contacted the police and the prosecutor’s office.

The journalist stresses that she did not state that a crime had definitely been committed, but reported on a situation that required verification.

At the same time, according to Auelbekova, she has still not been given access to the complaint or other case materials on the basis of which the authorities are considering holding her administratively liable.

The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” believes that, when assessing such publications, it is important to take into account the wording used, the sources of the information and the steps taken by the journalist to verify it. Reporting a potentially significant matter of public interest should not automatically be treated as the dissemination of false information.