Journalists of "Khabar" TV were attacked by guards of a shopping mall in Petropavlovsk

On August 2, Tolegen Imanov, Samat Dzhakupov and Natalya Volkova, journalists of the Petrovpavlovsk office of the Khabar TV  came to the Dostyk Mall shopping center to report the use of Ashyq program (special system of visitors entrance by QR code that shows if a person is  COVID-19 positive or contacted someone who is infected). When they were recording a video  they  administrators of the mall came to them. The reporters introduced themselves, showed their IDs and explained the purpose of the reporting. However, a senior security officer of Dostyk Mall ordered his subordinates to push the journalists out and the security guards attacked the reporters with fists.

The journalists called the police. However, for some unknown reason the traffic police arrived at the scene. The journalists are now awaiting the arrival of the police task force.

Commentary of "Adil Soz":

The ban on making photo or video inside stores and other places of service provision is illegal. the only possible explanation of such actions is that  the owners of the company or orgnization want to prevent recording of possible trade violations.

The ban on vidoe and preventing entrance to a  shopping center contradicts the laws "On Mass Media" and "On Protection of Consumer Rights".

Private security guards should act in accordance with the law "On security business". Security officers have the right to detain persons for unauthorised entry into protected area. In case someone takes photo or makes video outside such area, they do not have such a right. Taking photographs is neither a crime nor an offense.