Affiliated media: Telegram channel Nege.Aqsha, Online media

Incident date: January 8, 2024

Attack type:

• Warnings, pre-trial complaints, questioning and other extra-judicial actions

Who attacked: Non-authorities

Source: PRESS.KZ

Location: Kazakhstan, Almaty, Almaty

Additional information:

On January 8, social networks groups and media outlets published information that two days before the New Year, Kazakhtelecom JSC signed an advertising contract for KZT 280.3 million with a Consortium consisting of QAMALLADIN MEDIA LLP and DOSTYK CAPITAL LLP. Both companies were reportedly linked to Abylaykhan Kamaladin, «who founded a media empire that includes 600 bloggers, hundreds of information publishers, and dozens of Telegram channels». Some time later, Kamaladin clarified on Instagram that the tender was made «adequately and according to the terms of reference», no bloggers did advertising under this contract, only media outlets, and the Consortium acted as an intermediary. Kamaladin also said: «We are preparing a team of lawyers, we will file a lawsuit on all publications that are deliberately false and fake regarding our work. Everything is within the framework of market economy and laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan».