Kazakh penitentiary service officials on July 9 rejected a statement by the imprisoned leader of the unregistered Algha Qazaqstan (Forward Kazakhstan) political party about his treatment by prison administrators. Marat Zhylanbaev said he launched a hunger strike protesting against his being placed in solitary confinement over an alleged brawl with other inmates. Zhylanbaev was sentenced to seven years in prison in November on a charge of taking part in the activities of the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement and its financing. International and domestic human rights organizations have urged Astana to release Zhylanbaev. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.