On 24 June 2007, the manager of Chinggis 3 restaurant in Sukhbaatar District accused S. Tuul, photo reporter at “Social Mirror” newspaper, of taking photos in the restaurant without permission, kicked him in the head and broke his photo camera.

Pursuant to clients’ complaints that Chinggis 3 restaurant serves food with insects, “Social Mirror” newspaper’s photo reporter S. Tuul went to the restaurant to find the relevant evidence. In the restaurant’s kitchen S. Tuul took pictures proving that the restaurant cooks food in unhygienic conditions. It was while the reporter was leaving the restaurant after taking photos when the restaurant’s manager Mr. Naraa attacked the reporter for infringing the restaurant’s commercial secrets.

When journalist S. Tuul went to Sukhbaatar District’s police on the next day to file a complaint, Ts. Gankhuyag, chief of the Case Registration Desk at Sukhbaatar District’s police division, did not accept her complaint under the pretext of a lunch break. On the next day, 26 June 2007, the reporter’s complaint was rejected under another excuse. On 27 June, Ts. Gankhuyag rejected likewise, yelling: “why do you, journalists, take pictures wherever you want?”

Article 6.1 of Chapter 1 of the Law on Organization Secrets prohibits concealing information that reveals the impact of a business entity’s activities, production, services, technical equipment and technologies on public health and environment.

As a follow-up on the news story in “Social Mirror” newspaper and clients’ complaints, N. Valya, inspector at the Specialized Inspection Agency of the capital city, inspected Chinggis 3 restaurant and concluded that the restaurant did not have a professional cook, and the food served there is of poor quality and does not meet hygiene requirements. The inspector temporarily suspended Chinggis 3 restaurant’s work.