Two foreign bloggers who were previously arrested in Almaty for 15 days over offensive remarks about Kazakh women on social media may now face more serious criminal charges.
During a briefing at the Mazhilis, journalists asked Deputy Prosecutor General Galymzhan Koigeldiyev about the high-profile case involving foreign streamers. He confirmed that, in addition to administrative penalties, a separate criminal investigation has been launched.
According to him, the bloggers were initially punished for minor hooliganism and received administrative detention. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has opened a new case under Article 174 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, which concerns incitement of interethnic hatred.
Koigeldiyev emphasized that the administrative and criminal cases are separate proceedings.
Background
Article 174 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan предусматривает ответственность за разжигание социальной, национальной, расовой или религиозной вражды.
If such actions are committed by a group of individuals or under aggravating circumstances, the punishment may include five to ten years of imprisonment.
What happened
The controversy began after foreign streamers made insulting and derogatory comments about Kazakh women during a live broadcast. Clips from the stream quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking widespread public outrage.
Initially, local residents demanded a public apology from the bloggers. Later, law enforcement authorities intervened. Following an investigation, a court sentenced the two foreigners to 15 days of administrative arrest.
Reaction from the streaming community
The incident triggered active discussion among other streamers. Some supported the court’s decision, while others argued that the situation should not be treated as a criminal offense. One of the individuals involved also called for an end to harassment and threats directed at him.
