QARAZHAL, Kazakhstan -- Dozens of inmates' relatives are protesting outside a maximum security prison in the central Kazakh town of Qarazhal following media reports about self-mutilations by dozens of inmates.
One protester, Anastasia Tulendieva, told RFE/RL on May 22 that the administration of the AK-159/22 penitentiary has refused to meet with the inmates' relatives and would not release any information about the situation.
She said a bus was brought to the prison and screaming could be heard coming from the building.
Local media reported that 30 inmates in the prison "maimed" themselves late on May 21.
A spokesman for the Regional Committee for Penitentiary and Correction Implementation told RFE/RL on the same day that the reports were false.
For years, prisoners in penitentiaries located in the central Qaraghandy Oblast have rioted to protest conditions in the facilities.
One protester, Anastasia Tulendieva, told RFE/RL on May 22 that the administration of the AK-159/22 penitentiary has refused to meet with the inmates' relatives and would not release any information about the situation.
She said a bus was brought to the prison and screaming could be heard coming from the building.
Local media reported that 30 inmates in the prison "maimed" themselves late on May 21.
A spokesman for the Regional Committee for Penitentiary and Correction Implementation told RFE/RL on the same day that the reports were false.
For years, prisoners in penitentiaries located in the central Qaraghandy Oblast have rioted to protest conditions in the facilities.
