Local rights activists say hundreds of religious Shias have been arrested in recent weeks as pro-government media report on the arrests of "spies" and "traitors" working for neighboring Iran.
Ever since the start to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, anything with the slightest whiff of separatism in Kazakhstan has elicited a harsh crackdown. Except this time.
His outspoken criticism of Iran, and the timing coinciding with the opening of Azerbaijan's embassy in Israel led some fellow MPs to point the finger at Tehran.
Kyiv has long taken a pro-Azerbaijan position vis-a-vis the conflict with Armenia. Now officials say that Armenia and Russia are using the blockade to try to steal attention from Ukraine.