JOURNALISTS WERE DEPRIVED OF THEIR CELL PHONES PRIOR THE PRIME MINISTER’S PRESS CONFERENCE

It happened on July 20, during a visit of Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Prime Minister, to the North Kazakhstan.

Sagintayev arrived to Zarechny village which locates on outskirts of Petropavlovsk city to chair a meeting discussing the anti-flood measures. Journalists arrived to the meeting more than one hour prior its start. The residents of the village were also taking part in this meeting.

Daniyar Isayev, inspector of the akim’s administration of the North Kazakhstan, approached journalists and started collecting their cell phones. He threatened to kick out those who refused to surrender their cell phones. Isayev referred to the press service of Prime Minister that allegedly requested to implement such action. 

Journalists couldn’t convince Isayev that they use their cell phones as recorders and cameras. Isayev threatened them to call on security if they will continue to use the cell phones. 

Most of journalists, as a result, were not able to record and take the pictures from the meeting. They were forced to ask for help their colleagues who used recorders; make calls to the press service of akim or to Regional Communications Service to obtain information.