AKIPRESS.COM - Prominent Kazakh journalist Bigeldy Gabdullin was detained on the extortion allegations on November 15, a month after former Head of the Union of Journalists Seitkazy Matayev was sentenced to 6 years in jail for embezzlement of public funds and evasion from taxes.

Gabdullin, editor-in-chief at the Central Asia Monitor and Radiotochka outlets, allegedly "extorted money from public officials in exchange for favorable coverage," the Agency of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption said in a statement.

According to the statement, Gabdullin while in the position of the editor-in-chief "committed information attack against public authorities publishing negative articles defaming their business reputation."

Anti-corruption authorities say that Gabdullin offered to stop publishing defamatory content in return for government money.

"For example, Gabdullin extorted government money totaling 10 million tenge (nearly $30,000) from the akimat (government) of Zhambyl region," the statement said.

"7 government agencies gave public orders to Gabdullin on similar scheme," the statement said.

Currently, Gagdullin is kept in custody. Pre-trial investigation is under way.