The chairman of Kazakhstan’s unregistered Algha Kazakhstan (Forward Kazakhstan) party, Marat Zhylanbaev, who is on trial on charges of taking part in the activities of a banned group and financing an extremist organization, has launched a hunger strike protesting an Astana court's October 30 decision to hold the proceedings behind closed doors. Shortly before his trial resumed on November 3, Zhylanbaev said he had sewn his mouth shut a day earlier as his trial started and later had the stitches removed. Zhylanbaev rejects the charges against him, calling them politically motivated. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Opposition Politician Launches Hunger Strike To Demand Open Trial
Marat Zhylanbaev in court in Astana on October 30.