Jail corrupt officials, not bloggers, political scientist says

To avoid creating the impression that only bloggers and journalists face criminal prosecution in Kazakhstan, more corrupt officials should be jailed, according to Daniyar Ashimbayev, a Kazakh political analyst.

Ashimbayev argued that Kazakhstan has concluded that extensive media coverage of anti-corruption efforts harms the country’s image. As a result, corruption investigations and prosecutions are no longer receiving the same level of public attention, he said.

«To prevent the public from getting the false impression that only bloggers and journalists are being jailed, corrupt officials need to be jailed more often — for example, deputy akims [mayors and governors] responsible for land issues, public utilities and construction, vice ministers overseeing digitalization and public procurement, heads of state architecture and construction departments, and officials at state-owned enterprises,» Ashimbayev said.

He added that it is important for the public not only to hear about the rule of law and ethical standards, but also to see the government leading by example by removing corrupt officials from its ranks.

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