An foreign travel blogger known by the alias Haggagovic posted a video on social media filmed in Astana in which he lifts a female police officer into his arms and spins her around. The clip drew mixed reactions from Kazakhstanis: many considered the blogger's behavior inappropriate, while others took it with humor. The Astana Police Department responded to the incident, saying an internal review is underway, according to infohub.kz.
"An internal review is being conducted into this matter. Based on its results, disciplinary measures will be taken against the officers' actions," the department said.
According to information on the blogger's website, Haggagovic styles himself as the "king of travel," an adventurer and tourism expert widely known as the "Ibn Battuta of the 21st century." By his own account, he has visited more than 189 countries to date, documenting them through photos and videos, and has received numerous awards in recognition of his efforts to raise awareness and spread peace. He has also met with many world leaders and lectured to schoolchildren and university students in those countries, spreading a message of peace.