Dozens held in anti-govt protest in Kazakhstan

Authorities had detained more than 100 anti-government protesters Kazakhstan amid continuing wave of public discontent over a perceived orchestrated handover of power.

Shymkent:More than one hundred people were detained at anti-government rallies in Kazakhstan on Saturday amid a continuing wave of public discontent over a perceived orchestrated handover of power.

Protests rocked the Central Asian nation in the spring when long-time President Nursultan Nazarbayev abruptly resigned and named a successor to replace him.

Many in Kazakhstan viewed the move as an attempt by Nazarbayev and his allies to cement their grip on power.

Nazarbayev's ally Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won 70 per cent of the vote in a presidential election last month.

Protests erupted anew on Saturday, on Nazarbayev's 79th birthday.

Footage from the city of Shymkent showed police taking individuals from the crowd, some of them appeared to be underage.

Kazakhstan authorities earlier warned citizens against taking part in the unsanctioned rallies.