Tengrinews.kz – The Prosecutor's Office of Turkestan Region discovered a paid Telegram channel offering access to photo and video materials of a pornographic nature, including content involving minors. Law enforcement agencies are now investigating the channel’s subscribers for potential pedophiles.
According to the prosecutor’s office, a subscription to the channel containing prohibited content was available for 2,500 tenge. By the time law enforcement took an interest, over eight thousand people from Kazakhstan and CIS countries had already subscribed.
"Special operations identified the website’s organizer and the financial intermediaries (droppers) who received payments for views, access, and subscriptions. On March 14, under the coordination of the regional prosecutor’s office, members of the group were detained by the organized crime unit in Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions," the statement said.
Authorities added that the organizer of the Telegram channel had previously been convicted of a serious crime and is now under arrest.
"A pre-trial investigation has been launched under Article 311 ('Illegal Distribution of Pornographic Materials or Items') and Part 1 of Article 312 of the Criminal Code ('Production and Distribution of Materials or Items with Pornographic Images of Minors or Their Involvement in Pornographic Performances')," the prosecutor’s office clarified.
Additionally, at the prosecutor’s request, an investigation has begun into the eight thousand Telegram subscribers to determine whether their actions indicate pedophilic tendencies and to identify any individuals previously convicted of similar crimes.
"If criminal intent is confirmed, such individuals will be placed under surveillance by authorized and law enforcement agencies," the statement concluded.