NUR-SULTAN. Feb 17 (Interfax) - A total of 728 persons suspected of committing crimes during the January unrest remain in detention facilities in Kazakhstan, and another 270 have been placed under house arrest or released on their own recognizance, head of the Kazakh Interior Ministry's Penitentiary Committee Zhanat Eshmagambetov said.
"There are 728 persons suspected of committing felonies during the January unrest in detention facilities," Eshmagambetov said at a press briefing in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday.
All of them have been arrested by courts on the basis of evidence, including videos, witness statements, and other materials, he said.
Only suspected felons have been arrested, Eshmagambetov said.
Another 270 persons have been placed under house arrest or released with travel restrictions, he said.
"Given the type of offensive, personality and age of the suspects, investigators and the prosecution service asked courts to apply non-custodial restrictive measures, such as house arrest, travel restrictions, etc.," Eshmagambetov said.
Peaceful demonstrations that began in Zhanaozen, western Kazakhstan, in early January, developed into nationwide unrest with economic and political demands. Administrative buildings, police stations and stores were attacked and pillaged in a number of regions. The biggest city of Kazakhstan, Almaty, sustained the heaviest damage.