Kazakh authorities detain 10 suspected of propagating terrorism via internet
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 October 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakh authorities detain 10 suspected of propagating terrorism via internet, 29 October 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5c34a70a13.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
2018-10-29
By RFE/RL
Kazakhstan's Committee for National Security (KNB) has detained 10 people the authorities say are suspected of propagating terrorism via the Internet.
The KNB's press service said on October 29 that the suspects were apprehended in search operations held over the weekend in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, as well as in the Almaty, Aqmola, and Qaraghandy regions.
According to the statement, the suspects used social networks and messaging apps to "propagate terrorism and incite religious discord."
The statement also says that more than 180 people across Kazakhstan's 15 regions were members of chat-groups and social network communities in question.
The KNB is investigating whether any of the detainees may have provided financial backing or other forms of support for terrorism.
Critics of President Nursultan Nazarbaev's government say the authorities sometimes use allegations of extremism as a pretext to suppress dissent in the Central Asian former Soviet republic.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
