A court in Astana sentenced Kazakh opposition activist Asqar Sembai to six years in prison on December 19 for participating in the activities of the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) opposition movement. Prosecutors had sought seven years in prison for the activist. Sembai was arrested in May after he took part in rallies organized by DVK's self-exiled leader, former banker and government critic Mukhtar Ablyazov. Last month, a court in Astana sentenced the chairman of Kazakhstan’s unregistered Algha Kazakhstan (Forward Kazakhstan) party, Marat Zhylanbaev, to seven years in prison for his links with DVK. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Opposition Activist Sentenced To Six Years For Affiliation With Banned Movement
Kazakh activist Asqar Sembai