A video has circulated online of an online meeting of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the East Kazakhstan Region, in which the head of the department, Askar Mozhanov, speaks rudely to subordinates using profanity.
Journalist Yevgenia Bodrova published the recording of the meeting on her Facebook page. She appealed to the Agency for Civil Service Affairs with a request to investigate the situation.
"Profanity, to put it mildly, is not very pleasant behaviour and an assignment: to teach athletes to speak correctly with journalists, because the minister did not like a previous interview from one of the trainees," the post states.
In turn, Kursiv.media, citing the regional akimat, confirmed the authenticity of the video and reported that the official had been spoken to.
"The material regarding the violation of ethical standards by a civil servant has been sent to the Agency for Civil Service Affairs for consideration. It is currently known that the case has been referred to the Ethics Council, which, in accordance with the norms of current legislation and internal regulations, will consider the matter within the established timeframe. We will provide additional information on the measures taken," the akimat reported.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports also commented on the incident. The department emphasised that such behaviour is unacceptable.
"The format of communication, the expressions used and the tone of discussion demonstrated during the meeting do not correspond to the principles and values by which the department is guided. In the activities of all participants in the sports industry, the norms of official and sports ethics must be observed, excluding the use of profanity and the display of disrespect towards participants in the dialogue," the ministry's press service noted.
It has become known that Askar Mozhanov has been head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the East Kazakhstan Region since September 2023. He has extensive experience in leadership positions in state bodies: at various times he headed the sports departments of the Ust-Kamenogorsk akimat, the department for mobilisation training, and also in 2016–2019 he led the regional department of physical culture and sports.