Accessibility links

Breaking News

Relatives Of Jailed Zhanaozen Protesters Challenge PM


Prime Minister Karim Masimov
Prime Minister Karim Masimov
ZHANAOZEN, Kazakhstan -- Dozens of residents in Kazakhstan's restive western city of Zhanaozen have staged a protest during a visit to the city by the country's prime minister, Karim Masimov.

Waving placards, the protesters briefly accosted Masimov as he entered a local administration building.

Most of the demonstrators were relatives of residents sentenced last month to between four and years in jail for inciting unrest among disgruntled oil workers during a protracted strike in Zhanaozen last year.

Police shot dead at least 16 protesters during riots connected to the strike in December.

Navy Pillay, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, visited Zhanaozen last week and criticized authorities for failing to investigate the December violence.
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Kazakh Service

    RFE/RL's Kazakh Service offers informed and accurate reporting in the Kazakh and Russian languages about issues that matter in Kazakhstan, while providing a dynamic platform for audience engagement and the free exchange of news and ideas.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG