Kazakhstan: Lace underwear ban sparks protests

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Women holding up lace pantiesImage source, Radiotochka.kz
Image caption,
The ban on lace underwear is set to take effect in July 2014

The authorities in Kazakhstan have detained several women protesting against a ban on lace underwear, it's been reported.

One of the seven women held at the demonstration in Almaty, was waving what she said was the last pair of lace knickers she had left, Vlast.kz website reports. Another demonstrator told Russia's independent Rain TV that local residents have been receiving messages on their phones urging them to stay at home.

Production, import and sale of lace underwear will stop in July 2014 in Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus under a Moscow-led Customs Union. Officials say lace does not absorb enough moisture. The regulation was approved back in 2011, but has not been enforced until now.

Image source, Radiotochka.kz
Image caption,
Protesters were wearing lace underwear on their heads in protest against the ban

Recently, Kazakhstan has also seen protests against the falling value of the local currency, the tenge.

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