Kazakh Individual Faces Financial Penalty Equal to 200,000 Due to Use of Word "Alcoholic"
In Karaganda, a social media user found himself embroiled in a defamation case after making allegations about another individual's drinking habits. The court has ordered him to pay a fine of 200,000 tenge and publish a public apology, as originally reported by our site.
The controversy arose when a user, identified as K., posted a comment accusing A. of being a chronic alcoholic. The comment also disclosed A.'s personal information. This action reportedly resulted in A. filing a lawsuit, claiming the comment had maligned his reputation.
Initially, A. demanded one million tenge in moral damages. However, the court found the accusationbaseless but concluded that the comment was intended to harm A.'s reputation. Such statements, the court stated, could significantly impact personal and professional life.
The court declared that the statement published on Facebook, implying A. was a registered chronic alcoholic, was defamatory and harmful to A.'s honor, dignity, and business reputation. Consequently, K. has been instructed to retract the comment and pay A. the compensation. The court's decision is now in effect and has not been appealed.
In a related development, we previously reported on the potential consequences for Kazakhstani citizens found guilty of online insults. They could face not only bans but also criminal charges, depending on the gravity of the offense.
Recently, officers from the training unit of the Mangystau region police department have lodged a collective complaint against their commanding officer's actions. Furthermore, in early May, Almas Abildin, the head of the physical culture and sports department of the Kostanay region akimat, was demoted and fined for insults.
Here's an overview of the legal consequences in Kazakhstan for defamatory comments on social media:
- Administrative Consequences: Defamatory statements can be prosecuted under administrative law, with penalties ranging from fines to administrative arrest.
- Criminal Consequences: More severe cases, particularly those involving the dissemination of false information, can be prosecuted under criminal law, leading to criminal investigations, charges, and possible imprisonment.
- Civil Lawsuits: Individuals may also file civil lawsuits for damages resulting from defamatory statements.
Individuals who make defamatory comments on social media in Kazakhstan may face fines, arrest, or even criminal prosecution, depending on the context and content of the statement.
What if someone, like in the General-News, posts a defamatory comment on social media, accusing another individual of a crime such as chronic alcoholism, under the category of Crime-and-Justice? If found guilty, they could be held accountable through legal consequences, including fines, arrest, or even criminal prosecution, as demonstrated by the recent defamation case in Karaganda.
