Kazakhstan: Saniya Toiken Obstructed, Drone Destroyed While Reporting at Power Plant
The Coalition For Women In Journalism concerned by increased assaults and lack of police action, urges authorities to investigate immediately
Location: Kazakhstan, Mangistau
Date: August 22, 2023
Man drives over drone of award-winning reporter Saniya Toiken while she reported on a power plant. In recent weeks, the Coalition For Women In Journalism has documented several worrying attacks on women journalists in Kazakhstan. We are increasingly concerned by the lack of police action following these assaults. We urge authorities to take this and all incidents against journalists seriously and prosecute those responsible.
On August 22, Radio Azattyk’s Saniya Toiken and cameraperson Yerzhan Amirkhanov visited the Mangistau Nuclear Power Plant to investigate an emergency that resulted in power supply issues.
While the journalists were reporting, an unknown attacker drove his vehicle into their drone, deliberately destroying it.
Editors of Radio Azattyk said surveillance cameras had captured the incident, explaining how the assailant entered the pedestrian section of the road in his vehicle, driving slowly before turning abruptly and crashing into the drone.
“The journalist and videographer remained unharmed, though the drone sustained substantial damage,” the news outlet shared.
The journalists described the incident as a clear sabotage to hinder their journalistic work.
After destroying the drone, the driver fled the scene before returning with a lawyer and claiming he would not take responsibility for damages caused.
Toiken and Amirkhanov reported the incident to the police, who failed to file a case against the perpetrator or even accept statements from the journalists.
The following day, the reporters filed a formal complaint to law enforcement, charging the man with intentional property damage and obstruction of legal professional activity of a journalist (Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan). In the thirty years since Kazakhstan gained independence, only two cases under Article 158 have made it to court. This contributes to a feeling of permissiveness among those who commit such crimes.
In recent weeks, attacks on women journalists in Kazakhstan have escalated. While reporting on the ground at a mine following a fire, journalist Diana Saparkyzy was brutally dragged and assaulted by mine workers. Days earlier, renowned journalist Sandugash Duysenova was horrifically assaulted by officers while in police custody. She was forced to do an illegal strip search. Completely naked, the police filmed the journalist. Duysenova filed a complaint, stating the experience was akin to torture. Those responsible for the attacks against women journalists must be prosecuted and punished.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns this aggression against Toiken and Amirkhanov. The lack of response from law enforcement not only undermines the rights of journalists but also sends a dangerous message that attacks on journalists can occur with impunity. We call on the Kazakh authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of journalists and for police to investigate this incident thoroughly.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.