Police in Kazakhstan have detained five women protesting the confiscation of their property by the government.
The women were brought to the Esil district police department in the capital, Astana, where they were told that their public protest was illegal as it had not been officially sanctioned by the authorities.
They were released hours later.
The women spent five days and nights in front of the government's building, demanding to meet with the chief of the presidential office, Nurlan Nyghmatulin.
The women say they want proper compensation for their property on the outskirts of Astana that was confiscated by the government for "state necessity."
They say land is often confiscated from people and used to build private homes for government officials or businessmen.
The protesters say they will continue to demand a meeting with Nyghmatulin.
