REPORTERS WERE ARRESTED IN SATPAYEV CITY

On July 13, Satpaev City court (Central Kazakhstan) awarded its judgment to arrest for 5 days reporters Berik Zhagiparov and Askar Koshanov, under Article 434, Part 1 (“Minor hooliganism”) of Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Administrative Offences.

According to Kudaiberdy Ospanov, human right defender, and Andrey Tsukanov, journalist, Zhagiparov and Koshanov on July 11 arrived to the office of Aigul Tulendina, deputy of akim [head of local government in Kazakhstan – translator’s note]of Satpaev city, where she has started the reception of citizens. Zhagiparov and Koshanov addressed to Tulendina their questions related to the facts of selling alcoholic beverages in the city after 11 PM. Tulendina promised to investigate the issue and asked the reporters to leave her office.

Reporters are started leaving and at that moment A.Shalkarbaeva, inspector on social matters, rushed into the Tulendina’s office and attacked the reporters. She punched them and wrested the video camera trying to throw it out the window. Reporters and Shalkarbaeva continued their fight in the waiting room. ZhagiparovandKoshanovwereabletosavetheequipmentbut got injured. Theycalledanambulance.

Tolendina reported to the police accusing ZhagiparovandKoshanovof hooliganism. Isabayev S., judge of Satpaev City court, didn’t consider any arguments the reporters presented in their defense, as well as their motion that demands to attach video with recorded incident and the assailants. Isabayev considered that there are no attenuating circumstances.

Reporters were taken into custody immediately after the Court awarded its judgment.