Czech Tourists Caught Sneaking into Baikonur Rocket Site

cover Photo: Kamila Yermakhanova

The foreigners had planned to take photos at Baikonur, but were intercepted by security guards, Orda.kz reports.

Two Czech tourists — 26-year-old Ondřej and 25-year-old Jakub — were detained on the grounds of the cosmodrome after attempting to access a restricted test complex housing the Energia launch vehicle. 

Energia-M. Photo by Kamila Yermakhanova

According to a source at the site, the tourists wanted to take photos near the Soviet-era rocket and approached the complex with cameras. However, they were stopped by security guards before they could gain access.

The pair tried to persuade staff to let them through, but were ultimately detained. Authorities filed an administrative protocol against them for violating the access rules of a protected area. They now face a fine of 5,000 rubles.

This isn’t the first time foreign visitors have run into trouble near the cosmodrome. Last summer, a French citizen died in the Qyzylorda steppe near Baikonur while trying to witness a spacecraft launch with a friend.

Original Author: Kamila Yermakhanova

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