Pavlodar Activist Fined for Alleged Dissemination of False Information

Pavlodar activist Yevgeny Khabarov has been fined for "disseminating knowingly false information." The fine was issued over his Instagram post regarding the Akimat's refusal to allow a rally calling for the return of the old time zone, Orda.kz reports.

The Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights reported on the court proceedings.

In his social media post, Khabarov stated that the Akimat had denied the rally “due to another event scheduled for the same time.” It later emerged that the refusal was issued for a different reason — “incomplete information in the notification” (the Akimat did not specify what information was missing).

Officials subsequently filed a lawsuit against the activist.

Khabarov claimed that another event was already underway at that time — this is false information. Civilians could have seen these publications and attended peaceful rallies, not realizing they were violating the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan since the Akimat hadn't given permission,
 District police officer Magzumov argued in court.

I had no intention of spreading false information. I corrected the error before the report was filed. This information was overlooked,
 he said in court.

The activist added that he had submitted protest notices ten times. He said internal policy officials called him and suggested discussing the event and holding it at the community center, even though, by law, protests must take place at designated sites.

A representative of the Akimat also appeared in court and stated:

Khabarov disseminated false information that created a false impression about the procedure for reviewing notifications, leading to an undermining of trust and the image of the government agency.

The court ruled in favor of the Akimat and fined Khabarov 55,048 tenge.

The Bureau of Human Rights (KMBHR) noted that activists have repeatedly reported that local authorities frequently refuse permission for public events, citing fully booked venues — though, in many cases, no events are held there.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina