Trial on Zhanaozen clashes scheduled for March 27

The trial on clashes in Zhanaozen and Shetpe village on December 16-17, 2011, is scheduled for March 27, KazTAG reports citing the judge of Aktau Criminal Court Aralbai Nagashibayev. "Aktau criminal court has scheduled the trial on clashes in Zhanaozen and Shetpe village in December 2011 for March 27. 37 people are accused," he told the agency on Wednesday, March 14. The clashes happened in Zhanaozen on December 16, 2011. 14 people were killed and 64 people were wounded during the riots. 11 people were wounded and 1 was killed during the clashes in Shetpe village the next day. 40 police officers were injured. The clashes were preceded by a long strike of oil workers demanding salaries raise. Kazakhstan President introduced the state of emergency until January 5, 2012. Later it was prolonged to January 31.