Almaty Lawyers Association Complains Of Authorities' Interference

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Officials of the Almaty Lawyers Association say they are coming under pressure from Kazakh authorities.

Speaking to journalists on February 28 in Almaty, lawyers with the group accused Almaty city financial police of conducting “an illegal search in the association’s headquarters without any explanations” on February 24.

According to the lawyers, by conducting the search, police “have damaged privacy and trust between lawyers and their clients.”

The lawyers also called on Kazakh authorities to “respect the right of Kazakh citizens to defend themselves and stop any interference into the lawyers’ activities.”

No comment on the allegations from Kazakh officials was immediately available.