Bagdat Asylbek

Affiliated media: Orda.kz , Editor, Special correspondent

Incident date: January 5, 2022

Attack type:

• Non-fatal attack / beating / injury / torture

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Reporters without borders (RSF)

Location: Kazakhstan, Almaty Province, Almaty

Additional information:

Special correspondent and editor of Orda.kz Bagdat Asylbek was detained at night near Republic Square in Almaty after filming riot squad soldiers firing towards a group of people. Soon, two equipped fighters with shields and truncheons approached the journalist. Even though Asylbek was dressed as required by law (the journalist was wearing a blue vest) and showed his press ID, the law enforcers grabbed him from both sides, took him to the police van, and pushed him in. The law enforcers took away the journalist's phone and planned to delete the recorded videos in the vehicle. They also took the journalist's ID card and press ID card and left the car saying in an orderly tone: «Stay here». Asylbek immediately ran out of the car and followed them for several minutes, demanding the return of his documents and phone. After a long argument, the fighters returned the documents and phone on the condition that the journalist leaves the street.