The lawyer for the chairman of the unregistered Algha Kazakhstan party, Marat Zhylanbaev, said on November 16 that his client had lost 13 kilograms while on a hunger strike launched on October 30 to protest against a court decision to hold his trial behind closed doors. Zhylanbaev's trial on charges of taking part in the activities of a banned group and financing an extremist organization started on November 1. Zhylanbaev rejects the charges against him, calling them politically motivated. Last week, Human Rights Watch urged the Kazakh authorities to immediately release Zhylanbaev. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Opposition Leader Continues Hunger Strike In Jail To Demand Open Trial
Marat Zhylanbaev appears in court in Astana on October 30.