“Anyz Adam” journalist Sharip Kurakbayev was detained while trying to cover the rally

On May 10, at about 11 AM, a correspondent of “Anyz Adam” journal Sharip Kurakbaev came to the Almaty Abay Opera and Ballet Theater to cover the unauthorized rally "Stop torturing political prisoners and release them".

On May 10, at about 11 AM, a correspondent of “Anyz Adam” journal Sharip Kurakbaev came to the Almaty Abay Opera and Ballet Theater to cover the unauthorized rally "Stop torturing political prisoners and release them".

Before the rally began policemen came the journalist and Sharip Kurakbaev showed his journalist’s credentials, as well as an editorial assignment. Nevertheless, he was taken to the Almaly District Department of Internal Affairs along with several dozens of other people. The police placed on record personal data of all the detainees soon released without presenting any claims. Those who did not have documents were detained until the circumstances and the identities were clarified.

COMMENTARY of «Adil Soz»

According to Art. 20 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Mass Media", a journalist has the right " to be allowed upon presentation of journalist’s credentials in the regions of natural disasters, at meetings and demonstrations and at events with other forms of expressing public, group and personal interests and protest”.

Policemen have the right to clarify the identity, and the journalist fulfilled their demand by showing his journalist’s credentials and an editorial assignment. Why was he detained? The police did not provide the reason of  detention, neither it expalined what exactly they were going to clarify. As a result, the journalist was deprived of the opportunity to do his job - to cover the event, and the readers of the magazine were restricted in access to information.

By the way, in accordance with Art.158 part 2 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan Interfering with legal professional activity
of journalist committed by person with the use of his (her) official position shall be punished by the fine in the amount of up to two thousand monthly calculation indices or correctional works in the same amount, or restriction of liberty for the term of up to two years, or imprisonment for the same term, with deprivation of the right to occupy determined positions or to engage in a determined activity for the term of up to three years or without it.