Police in the Kazakh capital Nursultan, formerly known as Astana, beat and arrested protesters on May 1 during a May Day demonstration that called for a boycott of a snap presidential election on June 9, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Hundreds of people rallied against the potential election of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was endorsed by former president Nursultan Nazarbayev and was expected to win the vote. Nazarbayev, 78, had ruled since 1990 and stepped down in March, but retains “sweeping powers” and influence, Reuters reported. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Storyful
