Mothers of Soldiers Killed in Peacetime Protest Outside House of Ministries

A group of women gathered in front of Entrance 16 of the House of Ministries, where citizen appeals to the presidential administration are accepted, Orda.kz reports.

The protesters are demanding reform of the armed forces and fair investigations into the deaths of their sons.

The deaths of soldiers must stop. Let there be a fair investigation. Let there be a fair trial!
 shouted one of the women.

They destroy evidence, the guilty escape justice, and our children die! The most they can do is fire the culprit. They're breaking the law!
 another protester added.

They don't accept reforms; it's all just for show. Nothing in three and a half years. Kosanov, Zhaisanbayev... let them go!
 said Gulmira Mukazhanova.

Representatives of the Defense Ministry, including General Kaisar Umbetov, met with the women, but the protesters described the meeting as a formality. 

They continued to demand a personal audience with Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov and Kanatbek Zhaisanbayev, head of the Appeals Department. 

They were eventually detained and brought to a local police station.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya