Kazakhstan publishes ‘foreign agent’ register with names of journalists and media outlets
New York, September 21, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern over Kazakhstan’s publishing of the names of journalists, media outlets, press freedom organizations, and information agencies as part of a new registry of individuals and entities that receive foreign funding. “Kazakhstan’s inclusion of journalists, media, and human rights organizations in a published list of…
Kazakh journalist Diana Saparkyzy assaulted while covering mining deaths
Stockholm, August 22, 2023 – Kazakh authorities should swiftly investigate the recent use of force against journalist Diana Saparkyzy, prosecute those involved, and ensure that members of the press can cover events of public importance without obstruction, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Friday, August 18, Saparkyzy, a correspondent for independent news agency…
Kazakh journalist Amangeldy Batyrbekov sentenced to 20 days’ detention for defamation
Stockholm, July 10, 2023—Kazakhstan authorities should release journalist Amangeldy Batyrbekov and reform the country’s laws to remove prison sentences for defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 3, the Saryagash District Specialized Administrative Court in Kazakhstan’s southern Turkestan region sentenced Batyrbekov, chief editor of local independent newspaper S-Inform, to 20 days’ administrative…
Kazakh journalist Viktor Sutyagin’s car destroyed in fire
Stockholm, May 12, 2023—Kazakh authorities should swiftly investigate a recent suspected arson attack on a vehicle belonging to journalist Viktor Sutyagin and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, an unidentified individual was seen on security footage approaching Sutyagin’s car in the…
Kazakh outlet Moy Gorod receives bomb threat
Stockholm, April 14, 2023—Kazakh authorities should thoroughly investigate a recent bomb threat against Kazakh news outlet Moy Gorod and take steps to ensure the outlet’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On April 7, an individual emailed Moy Gorod’s editorial office in the northwestern city of Oral saying they had planted a bomb…
CPJ calls on authorities to arrest organizers of attacks on independent journalists in Kazakhstan
Stockholm, February 23, 2023 – Kazakh authorities must thoroughly investigate a fresh wave of attacks on independent journalists and ensure that all involved are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. In at least four incidents since February 5, journalists and their family members in various cities across Kazakhstan have faced attacks…
Russian court summons Kazakh outlet Arbat.Media over Ukraine war coverage
Paris, February 3, 2023 – Russian authorities must stop their efforts to silence reporting on the country’s invasion of Ukraine and stop harassing foreign outlets covering the conflict, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On January 24, the Leninsky District Court in the western city of Vladimir summoned the Kazakhstan-based independent news website Arbat.Media…
Journalists throughout Kazakhstan harassed, threatened for their work
Stockholm, January 24, 2023 – Kazakh authorities should thoroughly investigate a recent spate of attacks on independent journalists, hold all those responsible to account, and ensure that members of the press are able to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Since January 12, journalists throughout Kazakhstan have seen their cars set on…
Kazakh financial police arrest investigative journalist Mikhail Kozachkov
New York, December 19, 2022—Kazakh authorities should release investigative journalist Mikhail Kozachkov immediately and ensure that members of the press are not prosecuted in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Sunday, December 18, officers from Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) in the southern city of Almaty arrested Kozachkov, who…
Kazakh outlet Orda, staff subjected to months of threats, online harassment, cyberattacks
New York, October 12, 2022—Authorities in Kazakhstan should thoroughly investigate recent threats against independent news website Orda and its chief editor Gulnara Bazhkenova, and ensure the outlet and its staff’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On October 5, unidentified individuals sent a severed pig’s head to Orda’s editorial offices in the southern…