Kazakhstan arrests dozens in pre-vote protest

Dozens of protesters opposed to Kazakhstan's authoritarian regime were arrested by police in the largest city Almaty on Wednesday after decrying a snap election critics liken to a succession plan.

At least 200 people gathered in Almaty's central park to listen to activists who criticised the three-decade rule of Nursultan Nazarbayev and a June vote that his ally is expected to win.

Slogans shouted by protesters included "down with dictatorship", "we have a choice" and "we are the power".

Protesters also chanted slogans critical of Nazarbayev's ally Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after the 65-year-old was nominated for the ballot by the ruling party last month.

Nazarbayev, 78, shocked the country in March by calling time on his presidency and allowing Tokayev to succeed him, initially on an interim basis.

Nazarbayev is still expected to call the shots in the oil-rich nation of 18 million people.

He is recognised by the constitution as "Leader of the Nation" and has retained key positions ...