The Kazakh Consulate in the northern Iranian city of Gorgan has said Kazakh filmmaker Qanat Beisekeev was detained by the Iranian authorities on suspicion of a "violation of visa regulations."
Consul Aitzhan Ydyrysuly told RFE/RL on June 22 that Beisekeev arrived in Gorgan on June 16 with two associates to shoot a film, but the three were detained because they did not have visas that allow filming in the country -- known as a "journalism visa."
Ydyrysuly added that the consulate was working to locate the three Kazakh nationals and provide them with legal assistance.
Almaty-based public-relations specialist Alisher Elikbaev said earlier on June 22 that Beisekeev went to Gorgan to shoot a documentary about ethnic Kazakhs living there.
Kazakh Foreign Ministry press secretary Aibek Smadiyarov told RFE/RL that he had no information about the situation.