Journalist’s apartment broken into in Almaty while he was at police department

On 22 October, Azattyq Asia correspondent Bagdat Asylbek was forcibly taken to the Almaty Police Department to provide an explanation in connection with a complaint concerning alleged fraud. While the journalist was at the police department, unknown individuals forced open the door to his apartment and entered the premises, Azattyq Asia reported.

That morning, the journalist received a call from a person who introduced himself as a cyberpolice officer and told him that he needed to return money that had been transferred to his Kaspi account during the summer. Asylbek went to the bank, where he submitted a statement refusing the funds transferred by an unknown person.

Police officers were waiting for him as he left the bank. According to the editorial team, despite the absence of a summons and the journalist’s willingness to come to the police station voluntarily, officers forced him into a police vehicle and took him away.

At the police department, Asylbek was informed about a complaint from a person who had allegedly transferred 100,000 tenge as an advance payment for a smartphone advertised for sale on OLX but had never received the device. The money had been transferred to the journalist’s account, although Asylbek says he had never posted any advertisement offering a smartphone for sale.

While Asylbek was at the police department providing an explanation, two unknown individuals wearing masks and hooded clothing forced open the door to his apartment. His neighbours later told him what had happened. After returning home, he found that nothing appeared to have been stolen and there were no obvious signs that anyone had been inside.

Asylbek called the police and filed a complaint over unlawful entry into his home. The investigative team that arrived at the scene took fingerprints from the door and questioned neighbours, who provided video footage of the incident.

The journalist’s lawyer, Elena Zhigalenok, believes that his forcible transfer to the police department and the break-in at his apartment may have been connected. In her view, the incident may indicate an attempt to intimidate or pressure the journalist. However, no involvement of any specific individuals in either incident has yet been established.

The management of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), of which Azattyq Asia is a part, expressed concern over the incident and called on the Kazakhstani authorities to ensure that journalists can work without threats or harassment. The editorial team sent requests for comment to the Almaty Police Department and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. No responses had been received by the time of publication.

A similar incident had previously occurred involving another Radio Azattyq journalist.

The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” expresses concern over the circumstances surrounding what happened to Bagdat Asylbek. The fact that the journalist was taken to the police department at the same time that unknown individuals entered his apartment requires a thorough and impartial investigation.

The Foundation calls on law enforcement authorities to identify those who entered the apartment, examine the legality and circumstances of Asylbek’s forcible transfer to the police department, and determine whether there is any connection between the two incidents. The journalist’s safety must be ensured, and the incident must be investigated transparently.