Kazakhstan jails activists for links with Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan party

AKIPRESS.COM - The Almaty district court voiced verdicts against several activists for participation in the activities of the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan political party, Vlast.kg reports.
The judge found Oksana Shevchuk, Gulzipa Djaukerova, Anuara Ashiraliyeva and Zhazira Demeuova guilty of participation in public or religious organizations banned in the country and handed 1 years in prison.
All activists deny their guilt.
Authorities started prosecuting the named activists after they participated in the spring rallies that have been announced by Mukhtar Ablyazov - the founder of the Democratic Choice of Kyrgyzstan political party.
Ablyazov has been accused of embezzling $6 billion from BTA Bank of Kazakhstan while serving as chairman.