165 arrested at concert riot, ‘instigators’ face 7 years in prison - Yessimov

    Almaty city Akim Akhmetzhan Yessimov has held a second emergency meeting of Almaty police chiefs over Saturday's incident near the Prime Plaza trade and entertainment center, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing the Almaty municipal authorities.
    The first emergency meeting was held at the site of the mass violence at 11:15 p.m. Saturday.
    According to the acting chief of the Almaty Interior Department, Kanat Taimerdenov, 165 participants in mass disorders were set to police departments.
    Most were allowed to leave after a preliminary investigation. A criminal case on ‘Hooliganism’ was initiated over the disorders.
    Another criminal case was opened against the Prime Plaza administration over ‘A Careless Attitude to Duties’.
    According to prosecutors, the administration of the trade and entertainment center failed to obtain official permission for the mass entertainment event, because the platform they were using was not suitable. It was recommended the administration to cancel the concert or move it to a more suitable location. Nevertheless, they decided to go ahead with the concert and officially assumed responsibility for security.
    Yessimov said city law enforcement reacted adequately to the disorder. He emphasized the investigation must be made in strict accordance to the law, and only instigators and active participants must be punished.
    Instigators could face up to 7 years in prison, the Almaty Interior Department told Tengrinews.kz.
    The administration of the mall may face a fine of $90,000 to $130,000, or prison terms of up to 5 years, or a prison term of up to 3 years with a consequent ban from certain types of activities (limited to 3 years or a lifetime ban)," the Interior Department said.
    "It is too early to make any conclusions yet. I was told Kairat Nurtas was singing there, he is very popular now. A lot of people gathered for the concert. The event was not officially authorized, and the administration of the mall was supposed to ensure proper security themselves. But they failed to do so," he is quoted as saying by Vremya.
    "It was reported to me that the disorders started spontaneously and were not prepared beforehand. The crowd broke a billboard and went into ditches for stones. It is too early to be sure if the mass violence was prearranged. So far, we believe it was spontaneous, but we need to investigate this," he added.
    "All the personnel of the Almaty Interior Department have been place on high alert," the department added, www.tengrinews.kz wrote.