Accessibility links

Breaking News

Dozens Of Anti-EES Activists Detained In Astana


Police in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, have detained dozens of activists protesting Kazakhstan's entry into the Eurasian Economic Union (EES).

The activists gathered in downtown Astana on May 29 wearing surgical masks and holding posters saying, "Protect Yourself from Russia's Imperial Virus!"

The detained activists were brought to the Esil District police department in Astana. Their mobile phones and cameras were confiscated.

The protest was organized on the same day as the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia are meeting in Astana to sign the agreement on the establishment of the EES.

On May 27, seven activists and three journalists, including RFE/RL correspondent Orken Zhoyamergen, were sentenced to up to four days in jail after they were detained while covering an anti-EES gathering in a town near Astana.
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Kazakh Service

    RFE/RL's Kazakh Service offers informed and accurate reporting in the Kazakh and Russian languages about issues that matter in Kazakhstan, while providing a dynamic platform for audience engagement and the free exchange of news and ideas.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG