Bakhyt Smagul, editor of the Bukpa newspaper: “I still don’t understand why I spent 5 days in prison”

On January 4, 2022, Bakhyt Smagul, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Bukpa, was writing an article on what was happening to be published in the next issue. On the night of January 5 at 2.42 AM, he received a WhatsApp message from Altynai Amrenova the head of the internal policy department of the Akmola region saying that the akim (mayor) would meet him at  8.30 AM. Bakhyt read the message in the morning of January 5 and came to the akimat (mayor’s office). Well-known public figures of the region gathered there and discussed the ways to prevent provocations against young people in case of an unsanctioned rally. They created a commission (orally) that would work with young people and explain the real situation to them. The journalist was included in it. The editor of the newspaper B. Smagul informed those present that city akim’s meeting Baurzhan Gaysa is scheduled for January 6 at 10 am at the Palace of Culture.

During the day, B.Smagul and writers Zh.Ergaliev, K.Myrzabek, K.Toregozha and G.Tolegul were on watch at the Palace of Culture in case of a possible gathering of young people.Then the journalist went about the newspaper business.

On the morning of January 6, at about 9.30 AM the jounalist went to the chairman of the Kokshetau City Council of Veterans Sh.Aliyev as it was agreed, to  remind him that elders had to prevent possible provocations in case of young people gathering, but Aliyev could not go with Bakhyt.

By this time, young people had gathered in front of the Palace, but neither the akim of the city, nor anyone from the akimat was there. The situation could escalate, therefore, as a member of the commission, Bakhyt urged young people to keep their heads and not to fall for provocations.

After some time, the police ran up and began to detain everyone, including the editor of the newspaper. The journalist explained that he performed his professional duties and was a member of the commission on work with youth in an emergency situation in the country and on prevent provocations.  Though police,  prosecutor A. Beibytkyzy and judge A.B. Shurentaeva ignored that . In accordance with the decision of the specialized administrative court of Kokshetau, journalist B. Smagul was sentenced to 5 days of arrest for participating in an unauthorized rally (Article 476, part 1, paragraph 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

On January 11, B. Smagul returned home and continued his work for the newspaper. He intends to appeal his illegal arrest.