Teenager Fined Over Controversial Photo on Atyrau Ice Rink

In Atyrau, the investigation continues into the widely discussed photo taken at an ice rink, where four young women wearing niqabs posed with a version of the Kazakh flag featuring Arabic inscriptions, Orda.kz reports.

Earlier, the court had issued rulings for three: one was sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest, while two others were fined. Now, the teenager's case has been reviewed:

Her actions were classified as petty hooliganism under Part 1 of Article 434 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The offender’s guilt was fully confirmed by the case materials: the photograph, a report from authorized officials, and other evidence,stated the court's press service. 

Since the girl is a minor, her parents were assigned legal responsibility. The court ordered the legal representative to pay a fine of 39,320 tenge.

The photo, which quickly spread across social media, sparked social backlash.

While the official flag of Kazakhstan features the sun, a soaring eagle, and national ornaments, the version in the image included Arabic script and a sabre, prompting many online users to view it as an insult to the national symbol, and triggering an official investigation.

Original Author: Daniel Arturov