Kazakh Newscaster Quits, Cites 'Lies' In Border Massacre Report

ALMATY -- In Kazakhstan, a newsreader for the popular Almaty-based Channel 31 television channel, Vladislav Dlinnov, has resigned after refusing to broadcast a report about the alleged confession of a Kazakh border guard to a killing spree.

Dlinnov told RFE/RL that he resigned because "it is wrong to broadcast lies."

Reports on June 6 claimed that private Vladislav Chelakh had confessed to killing 14 of his colleagues and a forest ranger at a remote outpost along the Chinese-Kazakh border.

The outpost was torched and at least some of the bodies were badly burned.

The newsreader did not say who he believed carried out the massacre.

Chelakh, who was the 15th border guard deployed at the outpost, was found alive on June 5 and has been arrested.

Chelakh's relatives told RFE/RL they believe he is innocent.

With additional reporting by KazTAG