In the town of Esik, Enbekshikazakh District, Almaty Region, a mass brawl broke out. Arriving police officers fired warning shots into the air to stop the conflict.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INCIDENT
According to the press service of the Almaty Region Police Department, the incident occurred on the evening of 28 March.
According to the police, seven people were involved in the brawl. Their actions were captured on video, which was circulated on social media.
WHY THE SHOTS WERE FIRED
The department clarified that the shots fired into the air were purely of a warning nature.
This measure is used to stop unlawful actions and stabilise the situation when other methods of intervention prove insufficient.
LEGAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE ACTIONS
A pre-trial investigation has been launched against those detained for two criminal offences. The actions of the participants have been classified under Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CC RK) ("Hooliganism") and Article 380 of the CC RK ("Resistance to a Representative of Authority").
All suspects are currently being held in a temporary detention facility. Investigative actions are being carried out by officers of the Enbekshikazakh District Police Department, coordinated by the regional department.
The investigation is currently ongoing. The materials do not specify what exactly caused the conflict.