Artist Detained After Protest Against Kazakhstan's Time Zone Change

Contemporary artist Askhat Akhmedyarov rode a scooter along Al-Farabi Avenue on February 8, carrying a large flag in protest of Kazakhstan's transition to a single time zone, reports Orda.kz.

The yellow flag featured a red sun and the word "Qaida?" ("Where?").

Human rights activist Bakhytzhan Toregozhina shared video footage of the demonstration on social media, showing Akhmedyarov moving along the avenue.

The sun and the word 'Qaida?' ('Where?') on the flag represent my protest against the illegal time change that goes against public opinion. The authorities have stolen our sun. This is what I'm expressing through my flag and procession, Akhmedyarov explained, describing his action as an "art raid" and creative statement.

A subsequent video shows the artist being placed in a police vehicle. 

According to Toregozhina, he was taken to the Medeu District Police Department and faces charges under Article 488, Paragraph 7 of Kazakhstan's Administrative Code for organizing or conducting public gatherings without proper authorization.

The potential penalties include a fine of 50 MCI or administrative arrest for up to 15 days.

The court hearing was postponed until Monday, and reports later emerged that Akhmedyarov now faces an additional charge under Article 667 of the Administrative Code for disobeying law enforcement officers' legal orders.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko