Kazakhstanis protesting in Almaty demanding to release those arrested for peaceful rallies

AKIPRESS.COM - A group of citizens on December 24 rallied near the Almaty special detention center for administratively arrested people with the demand to release them, local media reported. More than 20 people were arrested for 10-15 days during the dispersal of protesters in Almaty in December 16.
A group of detainees on weekends announced a hunger strike claiming the courts decision against them was unfair.
Consideration of many petitions was held on Friday behind closed doors, although the Almaty city court earlier said the hearings will be open.
Among those protesting are relatives of arrested people, human rights activists and others.
Activist Erlan Kaliyev said that the convicts demanded from authorities to provide independent observers for the check of messages about possible pressure on those arrested from the law enforcement bodies.
The protesters were shouting "Bostandyk!" (Freedom). Representatives of the special detention center went out to talk to the protesters.
According to the human righst activists, they are not allowed to enter the detention center because they are not attorneys of the convicts.
The reports said 24 people are staging hunger strike. The press service of the police of Almaty denied this information.