The leader of the unregistered Algha, Qazaqstan (Forward, Kazakhstan) political party, Marat Zhylanbaev, has launched a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment. Zhylanbaev's lawyer, Meiirzhan Dosqaraev, told RFE/RL on September 16 that his client had begun a 40-day hunger strike four days earlier. 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, who has held several hunger strikes during his detention. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Imprisoned Leader Of Unregistered Kazakh Opposition Party Starts Hunger Strike
Marat Zhylanbaev, the chairman of unregistered Algha, Qazaqstan (Forward Kazakhstan) opposition party (file photo)