The chairman of the maslikhat of Osakarov District in Kazakhstan's Karaganda Region has been fined after he was spotted with an e-cigarette during an online meeting. Footage of the official surfaced on social media, after which police identified him, infohub.kz reports.
Police found the video while monitoring social media. In the footage, the man, in his office and participating in a video conference, attempts to discreetly smoke an e-cigarette.
Police determined that the video showed the chairman of the Osakarov District Maslikhat. Following an investigation, he was held administratively liable and fined.
The Karaganda Region Police Department stressed that a position does not exempt one from complying with the law.
"In this case, he was held administratively liable and fined. The Karaganda Region Police Department emphasizes: a position, status, or public standing does not exempt anyone from the obligation to comply with legal requirements. Law and order are the same for everyone — without exception," police said.
According to information from the gov.kz website, Kanat Kelgenovich Sakkulakov, chairman of the Osakarov District Maslikhat, heads the local representative body, which approves the district budget and development programs and oversees their implementation.
Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that in Japan, an official was punished for participating in an online press conference from a love hotel. During the video call, he was in a bathrobe, smoking, and chatting with a woman believed to be his mistress.