Dozens detained in anti-government protest in Kazakhstan

AKIPRESS.COM - Independent website Vlast.kz on Saturday reported up to 100 people have been detained in the center of the country's biggest city Almaty.
The Interfax news agency also reported dozens of detentions in the capital Nur-Sultan as well as Shymkent, Karaganda and Oral.
Footage from the scene showed police snatching individuals from the crowd.
Protests rocked Kazakhstan earlier this year when long-time President Nursultan Nazarbayev abruptly resigned and named a successor to replace him. Many in this Central Asian nation viewed the move as an orchestrated handover of power, AP reports.
Smoke bombs and weapons were seized from some participants in the rallies in Nur-Sultan and Almaty, the Kazakh Interior Ministry said.
"On July 6 festive day, unsanctioned rallies were organized in Nur-Sultan and Almaty. Despite repeated warnings from the prosecutor's office, some citizens succumbed to provocative appeals of the banned extremist organization. Some of them committed illegal actions against law enforcement officers, threatening the peace and security of other citizens," the Interior Ministry said.
"Therefore, the internal affairs bodies have taken measures to prevent violations of public order. The organizers and active participants were brought to the police units. Smoke bombs and traumatic weapons were seized from some individuals," the statement said.
July 6 marks birthday of Kazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and the Capital City Day.