Watchdog

Several women and their children are continuing a demonstration against the confiscation of their property by the Kazakh government.

The protesters have again gathered in front of the government's building in Astana, on July 24, a day after their demand to meet with presidential office chief Nurlan Nyghmatulin was rejected.

The protesters first gathered in front of the government building on July 23, intending to spend the night there to observe the Islamic Night of Revelation, or Laylat al-Qadr, in protest.

At around midnight, police detained them and kept them at a police station until 3 a.m.

The protesters say local authorities routinely confiscate land from people and justify the move by citing "state necessity," giving little or no compensation.

They said that often the confiscated land is used to build private homes for authorities or businessmen.

The chairman of the youth wing of the opposition Musavat (Equality) party in Azerbaijan has been detained.

Musavat party officials say Farac Karimli was detained at a health center in Baku on July 23.

Karimli's father, Rafiq Karimli, told RFE/RL that his family had not been informed where his son is being held.

On July 17, Farac's brother Sirac was arrested and charged with drug possession.

According to Musavat officials, Karimli's detention is politically motivated as the 29-year-old opposition activist is an administrator of the party's website and played a big role in the party's online activities.

Interior Ministry spokesman Ehsan Zahidov told RFE/RL he has no information regarding Karimli's arrest or current whereabouts.