An inspection has been initiated in the Aktobe region following the publication of a photo of the akim of the rural district named after Kudaibergen Zhubanov in the Mugalzhar district, Lyazzat Berdibayeva, holding steppe tulips in her hands. The image provoked a negative reaction from users on social media, who questioned the legality of picking the flowers and asked for measures to be taken.
According to Informburo.kz, a commission has been set up regarding this incident, which includes representatives from various departments, including an officer from the district police and a representative from the regional department of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs.
"We are currently determining whether these tulips belong to rare and protected species. After that, a legal assessment of the situation will be given", said Yerbolat Sarkulov, head of the press service of the regional police department.
According to the akim of the Mugalzhar district, Darkhan Yermagambetov, Berdibayeva posted the photo with the flowers as her WhatsApp status, and it is claimed that the flowers were picked by her daughters.
After examining all the circumstances, the police will make an appropriate decision.
For context, a video from the Ordabasy district of the Turkestan region recently circulated online, showing a local woman picking a bouquet of tulips listed in the Red Book from a field. The woman now faces a fine of 3,000 MCI (11,796,000 tenge) or correctional and community service.