Published 26 October 2012
The Kazakh city of Almaty depends on a Soviet-era central heating system that pipes hot water and steam to residents' homes. This autumn, the city government has delayed turning on the central heat, leaving many thousands of people shivering. To bring attention to the issue, activist Murat Telibekov decided to turn up the heat on city hall. Just before Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice when believers traditionally slaughter an animal, Telibekov brought a sheep to the steps of the mayor's office and suggested he would sacrifice it on the spot. Security guards stepped in to prevent the sacrifice from taking place, but the activist says he'll keep coming back with more animals until the heat comes on. (RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service)