Activists Marat Zhanuzaqov, Baurzhan Baltashev, and Ualikhan Negmetov, who on November 27, the day of Vladimir Putin's state visit to Kazakhstan, protested against his arrival, are being held administratively accountable for "minor hooliganism," they themselves told "Radio Azattyk."
"We were just standing near the house holding the flags of Kazakhstan and Ukraine. We didn't say anything. We were called to the police, held at the station from 9 PM to 3 AM. A protocol for "minor hooliganism" was filled out. There will be a court hearing today," said Marat Zhanuzaqov.
In a photograph published on November 27, Baltashev and Negmetov are standing on the street with flags, and Zhanuzaqov is holding a piece of paper with the inscription: "Your Excellency, get the hell out of Kazakhstan!" The police considered the inscription obscene and drew up an administrative protocol.
Each of the three activists was fined 20 monthly calculation indicators, and they will have to pay 52 thousand tenge each (about 101 dollars).
On November 27, Vladimir Putin arrived on a state visit to Astana. In the Kazakh capital, he was met with honors, images of the Russian flag were displayed on street screens, and a large billboard featured the greeting "Your Excellency, Mr. Vladimir Putin, welcome to Astana!" The address "Your Excellency" outraged some social media users in Kazakhstan. The country's Foreign Ministry explained that the visit has the status of a state visit, and the welcoming banners comply with protocol.
Photo: Radio Azattyk