Information has been received via the anonymous FBRK bot that the head of the "KazTAG" International News Agency, Aset Mataev, was detained in Almaty near the Dostyk Plaza shopping centre. It is reported to involve an alleged fight, however, there is no official confirmation at the time of publication.
The FBRK editorial team also has a photograph in its possession, sent via the bot, but it is not being published for ethical reasons.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AT DOSTYK PLAZA
According to information received by the editorial team, a scuffle involving Aset Mataev and his acquaintance Ramazanov, a co-founder of Malim media, occurred last night near the Dostyk Plaza shopping centre in Almaty.
It is reported that the conflict began after a verbal altercation: one of the young men took Mataev's remark as an insult. During the quarrel, a 20-year-old participant produced a wrench and struck Mataev in the temple area. It is reported that Mataev may have been under the influence of alcohol.
The victim was taken to hospital, where he received stitches. All participants, including Mataev and Ramazanov, were detained by police officers.
The FBRK editorial team has sent an official request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs asking them to confirm or deny the information.
WHAT CONDITION ARE THE PARTICIPANTS IN
It is reported that Aset Mataev sustained a head injury and received medical treatment. Other details regarding the condition of the participants, the severity of the injuries, and the potential classification of the incident have not been specified.
WHY THE FIGURE OF MATAEV ATTRACTS ATTENTION
The incident occurred against the backdrop of a dispute surrounding the "KazTAG" news agency. Earlier, a disagreement arose between the agency and Freedom structures following publications criticising the company's activities and citing customer complaints.
As a result of the civil proceedings:
- the court deemed some of the publications damaging to business reputation;
- ordered the removal of certain materials and the publication of retractions;
- awarded legal costs.
Concurrently, a criminal case was initiated under the article on the dissemination of knowingly false information against representatives of the agency, including its management.
For its part, "KazTAG" claims that the publications are based on citizens' appeals and journalistic verification.