ALMATY, Kazakhstan — The trial against an independent Kazakh newspaper has started in Almaty. 

«Pravdivaya gazeta» (The Truthful Newspaper) is charged with providing readers with false information about the exact number of its weekly copies, operating during a court-ruled suspension period, and for its failure to adequately address the violations.

The editors of the periodical, which is known for its harsh criticism of the Kazakh authorities, insist the charges are politically motivated.

The newspaper was established nine months ago and has gone through two three-month suspensions and two hefty fines since then.

Last year, the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticizing Astana for its failure to respect political, media, and religious freedoms.

http://www.rferl.org/content/kazakhstan-trial-newspaper/25259216.html