Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry reached out to foreign media cocerning riots

Official Astana is interested in transparent coverage of the events in Mangistau oblast by national and foreign media, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the statement of Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry. “According to the President, Kazakhstan will benefit from transparent investigations and we are very interested in unrestricted activities of all national and foreign media,” official representative of Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry Altai Abibullayev said. According to him, local and foreign journalists are currently working in Mangistau oblast. Official representative of Foreign Ministry commented on the message on apprehension of Lenta.ru and Kommersant journalists earlier published in the Russian media. “I would like to stress that according to General Prosecution office, none of the foreign and local journalists have been apprehended. All of them are working with no restrictions. They are provided with security and transport, if necessary.” Earlier Tengrinews.kz reported that Russian journalists Ilya Azar, Vladimir Solovyov and Vassiliy Shaposhnikov were delivered to Zhanaozen police department. After several procedures related to the state of emergency in the town - the journalists were identified and explained how to stay safe - the journalists were released and provided with security and transport.