Blogger Kirill Pavlov Fined for False Post About Locusts in Jambyl Region

The author of the Telegram channel "Kazakh Chuvash," Kirill Pavlov, has lost a lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Agriculture in Astana, Orda.kz reports.

Pavlov was found guilty of spreading false information that could disrupt public order. The case stemmed from a post on his channel claiming that the Italian locust had infested over five million hectares in the Jambyl region.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture's reports, 96 thousand hectares have been treated for locust as of July 2024. It looks good, until you find out that the locust's distribution area in the region is over five million hectares. That is, they treated about two percent, but reported it as a great offensive,
the post stated. 

In court, the data was found to be inaccurate. The Jambyl branch of the Republican Methodological Center for Phytosanitary Diagnostics and Forecasts reported the post to the police, emphasizing that only their specialists are authorized to provide official pest forecasts and statistics.

During the trial, Pavlov argued that he used publicly available data.

However, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that Pavlov submitted an official request for information only after the post, on May 6, 2025. The court ultimately ruled against him.

As a mitigating factor, the court noted that Pavlov had not previously committed similar offenses. The decision has not yet entered into force — Pavlov may still appeal.

If upheld, he must pay a fine of 78,640 tenge within 30 days.

Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture stated there was “no mass spread of locusts in Kazakhstan.”

Original Author: Alina Pak