Against the backdrop of discussions about the election campaign and political party debates in Kazakhstan, social media users are once again recalling one of the most controversial episodes of past election campaigns — the conflict between Yermurat Bapi and Tazabek Sambetbay, which took place during a televised debate in 2020.
WHY THERE IS RENEWED INTEREST IN THE STORY
29 July saw the launch of Kazakhstan's first national televised debates ahead of the elections for members of the Kurultai.
Against the backdrop of the new election campaign, social media users have once again recalled one of the most high-profile political conflicts of recent years — the scuffle between Yermurat Bapi and Tazabek Sambetbay live on Channel 31 in 2020.
WHAT CAUSED THE CONFLICT
The host asked Yermurat Bapi about rumours that he had allegedly tried to sell the party for $200,000. During his response, Tazabek Sambetbay intervened, stating that he believed the claims to be true, and also called his opponent a "trader" and accused him of lying.
A conflict then broke out between the participants: Yermurat Bapi threw water at his opponent, hurled his glass, struck him and attempted to kick him. Other participants in the programme separated the politicians, after which the recording of the show continued.
WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS SAID AFTER THE BROADCAST
Following the incident, both politicians gave their accounts of what had happened to journalists.
Tazabek Sambetbay said he was adhering to the format of open political polemics and believes that his remarks prompted the opponent's emotional reaction. According to him, the debate continued after the other participants intervened.
Yermurat Bapi, for his part, denied the claims that he had tried to sell the party. He stated that the question related to debt obligations connected with the party's former leadership, and considered his opponent's words to be groundless and insulting. According to the politician, this was precisely what triggered his emotional reaction.
