Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan.28 / Trend L.Podolyak /
Unauthorized opposition rally has begun in Almaty in public garden near 'Kazakhstan' hotel. The organizers of the rally want to express discontent with the parliamentary elections held on Jan.15, as a result of which the opposition won only 1.68 per cent of the votes.
Those who rallied demanded to release detained by the court's sanction for fomentation of social discord and involvement in riots which killed 16 people leader of non-registered Alga party Vladimir Kozlov, activist of Popular Front movement Serik Sapargali and editor-in-chief of Vzglyad newspaper Igor Vinyavsky.
Opposition leaders Bulat Abilov, Jarmakhan Tuyakbay and Mukhtar Shakhanov are participating in the rally.
Last week the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (NSDP) dissatisfied with the results of parliamentary elections, held a rally in Almaty. About 250 people gathered then near the Independence Monument. Members of the rally expressed their discontent with the results of elections and burned copy of the protocol of the election committee. The rally lasted no more than 45 minutes, then its members left the square without hindrance.
The NSDP said then it would hold another rally on Jan.28 and would take its supporters to the palace of the republic in the center of Almaty.
Inter-district specialized administrative court of Almaty made leaders of the opposition NSDP Bolat Abilov and Zharmakhan Tuyakbai pay fine to the amount of 32,000 tenge (about $200) for participation in the unauthorized action of protest against falsification of the parliamentary elections.
Parliamentary elections were held in Kazakhstan on Jan.15. Three parties joined the Parliament - 'Nur Otan' (83 MPs), 'Ak Zhol' (8 MPs) and the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan (7 MPs)