Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov stated that police officers did not call Kazakhstani citizens demanding the removal of publications about the deaths of 14 servicemen on the Caspian. The statement came amid complaints from Threads users who reported such calls and visits by security forces to their homes.
WHAT THE INTERIOR MINISTRY STATED
Sanzhar Adilov did not confirm information that police officers contacted social media users and demanded the removal of critical posts.
"Moreover, officers of the internal affairs bodies ensured public order at the proper level in the Mangystau region and across the country," he said.
WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA USERS COMPLAINED ABOUT
After the deaths of 14 servicemen during exercises on the Caspian Sea, Threads users began reporting calls from people presenting themselves as police officers. According to them, the callers asked them to delete publications criticising the actions of the Ministry of Defence and its leadership.
One user published an audio recording of a conversation with a person who presented himself as an officer of the Almaty police department. Later, the author reported that after refusing to delete the publication, security forces came to his home. He subsequently deleted the post and the audio recording.
WHY JOURNALISTS' QUESTIONS WERE RESTRICTED AT THE BRIEFING
The briefing featuring Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov took place as part of a Kurultai session. On that day, the agenda was dedicated to the ratification of the Convention on Cybercrime, so journalists were asked to pose questions related to the topic of the session.
When journalists attempted to raise this topic, they were reminded that questions must correspond to the agenda.
