(Adil Soz/IFEX) – On 20 August 2006, police prevented 31 Channel-Aktau director, Stanislav Tokmashev, reporters Svetlana Sultangereyeva and Sandugash Shortanova, and cameraman Murat Bekmagambetov from carrying out their professional activities in Aktau, western Kazakhstan. The cameraman was hit over the head with a truncheon and his camera was broken by an officer. At the time […]
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – On 20 August 2006, police prevented 31 Channel-Aktau director, Stanislav Tokmashev, reporters Svetlana Sultangereyeva and Sandugash Shortanova, and cameraman Murat Bekmagambetov from carrying out their professional activities in Aktau, western Kazakhstan. The cameraman was hit over the head with a truncheon and his camera was broken by an officer. At the time of the incident, the media professionals were covering a public demonstration in the Yntymak square. The protesters were demanding that the head of the city administration, Viktor Koh, be replaced by anyone born in Mangistau oblast, a province in southwestern Kazakhstan.
On 21 August, Mangistau oblast akimat (the mayor’s office) distributed a press release, saying drunken 31 Channel staff were to blame for the public disturbance, although the journalists claim they were not tested for alcohol. On the same day, in his own press release, the General Producer of 31 Channel’s Informburo programme Viktor Klimov rebutted the allegations, saying there was no evidence to suggest anything that could harm the business and professional reputation of the channel.
The journalists made two attempts to pass an alcohol test in Aktau, but were refused both times by local medical centers. A blood test taken later in Almaty showed no traces of alcohol.
Yermek Kuanyshev, head of 31 Channel’s legal department, said the Mangistau authorities should be charged for breaking equipment, preventing the journalists from carrying out their work and abuse of office. They are currently working on a formal complaint to the Procuracy.
“It was an attempt to defame journalists, which should be qualified under article 129 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan,” said Adil Soz Foundation’s President Tamara Kaleyeva.
