Press‑freedom group says journalist Dinara Egeubaeva has faced coordinated pressure after Almaty crash

A Kazakhstan press‑freedom group has raised alarm over what it describes as coordinated pressure on journalist Динара Егеубаева following a traffic accident in Almaty on July 31. The protection-of‑speech NGO Әділ сөз said in a statement that the campaign against Egeubaeva has included false reports about the condition and fate of the other party, a wave of abusive messages sent to her relatives, blocking of her accounts, strikes against her YouTube channel, and the creation of a fake channel using AI‑generated imagery and voice.

According to the foundation, video footage from street cameras shows the cyclist involved riding in the oncoming lane and failing to reduce speed, colliding with the side of the car driven by Egeubaeva. The person injured in the collision was taken to hospital with a preliminary diagnosis described as "Закрытая черепно-мозговая травма, без переломов." Әділ сөз cites Egeubaeva as saying that the man was conscious and responsive to medical staff after the incident.

Әділ сөз says that shortly after the crash, social networks and Telegram channels began circulating false messages that the cyclist had died, followed by other posts alleging severe injuries. The foundation says such online messaging was accompanied by aggressive messages to Egeubaeva's relatives. The organization characterizes these developments as part of pressure linked to the journalist's professional activities.

The foundation also alleges that Egeubaeva's vehicle was seized without the issuance of a proper confiscation act, and that a protocol documenting a "наезд" (collision/hit) was drawn up at the scene before a forensic medical examination had been conducted. Әділ сөз told reporters it views these procedural details as irregular and as further evidence of undue pressure on the journalist.

On August 4, authorities opened a criminal investigation into the incident under part 1 of article 345 of the Criminal Code — «Нарушение правил дорожного движения, повлекшее по неосторожности причинение вреда здоровью человека». As part of pretrial measures, Egeubaeva has been prohibited from leaving the country, the foundation said.

Egeubaeva and her attorney have announced plans to seek admission of the available video into the case file, to request independent forensic expertise, and to demand a review of police actions surrounding the seizure of the vehicle and the preparation of procedural documents. Әділ сөз urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the prosecutor's office to guarantee a transparent and impartial investigation and to "дать правовую оценку фактам организованной дезинформации" — to provide a legal assessment of the alleged organized disinformation campaign.

The case has broader implications for media freedom and the safety of journalists in Kazakhstan, advocates say. Independent monitoring groups frequently highlight risks that reporters face when they cover sensitive topics, ranging from online harassment to administrative and criminal measures. In this instance, Әділ сөз frames procedural concerns and coordinated online attacks as potentially connected to Egeubaeva's professional reporting, and calls on state bodies to act in a manner that strengthens public confidence in the investigative process.

Azattyq Asia — the Russian‑language Central Asia service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — reported the foundation's statement and the details of the ongoing developments. Authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about the investigation beyond the opening of the case under article 345 and the travel ban on the journalist. Әділ сөз and Egeubaeva continue to press for access to evidence, independent examinations and clarification of law‑enforcement procedures as the inquiry proceeds.