Five Kazakh activists opposed to the construction of a nuclear power plant have been placed in pretrial detention for at least two months, their lawyers said on October 2. The activists, charged with plotting mass unrest, were detained on September 29, just a week before a national referendum on the nuclear project. The government has pushed for the plant's construction despite widespread opposition. Critics argue that dissent is being silenced ahead of the October 6 poll. Given Kazakhstan's tightly controlled political landscape, many expect the referendum to pass, despite concerns over environmental and political issues. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Activists Jailed Ahead Of Nuclear-Power Referendum
Supporters of the activists opposed to building a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan gather outside the Almaty police station after the activists were detained on September 29.