A man has been detained in Kazakhstan after his toast at a wedding in the city of Zhetysai, Turkistan Region, sparked widespread public outcry. Video of the celebration went viral on social media and drew the attention of law enforcement, according to infohub.kz.
According to the Telegram channel "News of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan," a criminal case has been opened on charges of inciting religious and social discord over the public statements made by a 66-year-old resident of Turkistan Region. The suspect has been detained and placed in a temporary detention facility.
The ministry reminded that the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan establishes the secular, legal, and social nature of the state, where the highest values are the individual, their rights, and freedoms (Article 1). All are equal before the law, and any discrimination, including on the basis of gender and religion, is prohibited (Article 16). Freedom of speech must not infringe on the honor and dignity of others, and propaganda of religious and social discord is not allowed (Article 23).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs warned that any public statements that degrade human dignity, insult women, incite religious or social discord, or aim to disrupt social harmony will be subject to legal assessment in accordance with the law.
It should be recalled that the video was posted on Instagram by singer Roza Alkozha. She noted that the celebration took place in Zhetysai, and the toast was made by a relative of the bride. The man stated that after refusing alcohol at weddings, two more steps are needed: "First, we need to get rid of music. Second, men and women should sit separately. Let singers not be offended by me. If weddings are held without artists, they will cease to be stars and lose their popularity. In Sharia, they are called 'heralds of Shaitan'."
According to the singer, such statements could indicate the man's adherence to one of the destructive religious movements. The guest's words were also commented on by Yerlan Karin, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan, and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan.