Prison riot in Kazakhstan quashed
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 July 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Prison riot in Kazakhstan quashed, 2 July 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53ce30433.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 02, 2014
Inmates in a penal colony in Kazakhstan's northwestern city of Aqtobe have reportedly rioted to protest harsh conditions.
The regional prosecutor's office said the riot was sparked by 10 inmates who had blocked a barracks, preventing the inmates inside from participating in a daily roll call on July 2.
The rioting inmates demanded free movement on the grounds of the penal colony and a right not to work.
The prosecutor's office called the inmates' demands illegal and said the riot was quashed. It said "the most notorious violators of internal regulations" had been placed in solitary confinement.
It is not clear how prison authorities stopped the rioting or how many inmates were sent to solitary confinement.
For years, prisoners in Kazakh penitentiaries have rioted to protest jail conditions, often maiming themselves to draw attention to their plight.
Based on reporting by zakon.kz and Kazinform
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
