A joint operation by law enforcement agencies from two countries ended with the detention of a minor: the teenager is suspected of making a knowingly false report of a terrorist act at a shopping center in Astana, according to infohub.kz.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the minor was detained on August 26 in the Ukrainian city of Sumy. The operation was carried out jointly by Kazakhstan's MIA and Ukraine's cyber police.
During a search, mobile phones, tablets, a laptop, a system unit and a bank card were seized. Digital evidence was found on the electronic devices, including the account used, the text of the message sent and other information.
The seized equipment is currently being analyzed to identify possible accomplices and to verify the detainee's involvement in similar incidents, the ministry said.
It noted that cooperation with Ukraine's competent authorities on further procedural decisions is ongoing.
Kazakhstan's MIA reminds the public that false reports of bombings, terrorism, hostage-taking and other security threats are no joke. Such actions carry serious legal consequences. Parents are advised to explain to their children the rules of safe and responsible behavior online, and to pay attention to suspicious activity on social media and messaging apps, police warned.
Earlier it was reported that in Kostanay a teenager was held accountable for a false report of a planned terrorist act and was given a suspended sentence.