From: EurasiaDigest (digest@eurasianet.org)
Date: Mon Jan 31 2005 - 15:37:12 EST
RFE/RL: KAZAKH OPPOSITION MEMBERS JAILED, FINED AFTER UNSANCTIONED DEMONSTRATION
Seven members of the opposition party Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) were arrested on 29 January at an unsanctioned demonstration in Almaty and sentenced to short prison terms and fines on 30 January, "Kazakhstan Today" and Interfax reported. Opposition parties Ak Zhol, DVK, and the Communist Party went ahead with the rally, which drew 1,000-2,000 people, after officials rejected their 19 January application to hold a demonstration. At the rally, leading opposition figures denounced a recent court decision to liquidate the DVK (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 7 January 2005) and spoke out against the government of President Nursultan Nazarbaev. In a 30 January press release, the DVK said that on 30 January five party activists received jail terms ranging from two to seven days; two others were fined. All were charged with failing to comply with the demands of Interior Ministry officials. A DVK lawyer told "Kazakhstan Today" that the party plans to appeal the sentences on 31 January. DK
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