A lesbian activist campaigning against the stigma around menstruation was arrested and thrown in prison before being asked degrading questions about her personal life in court, human rights groups claim.
Campaigners voiced their horror after Zhanar Sekerbayeva was detained by police in Kazakhstan and convicted of "minor hooliganism".
When she appeared in front of a judge, LGBTI campaigner Ms Sekerayeva – who is a founding member of feminist group Feminita – was asked a series of questions including whether she was pregnant, and whether she had children.
Ms Sekerayeva, from Almaty in Kazakhstan, was detained after taking part in an awareness photo shoot, during which she held a cartoon of a menstruating woman.
Feminita has claimed the country is "ashamed of women".
Feminita claims the subject is regarded as "dirty", and is stigmatised, stating that members including the defendant were confronted by "aggressive" men during their demonstration.
In a statement the organisation said many felt "ashamed" of menstruation, and added: "Why is Kazakhstan ashamed of women?"
Kazakhstan’s authorities have been accused of demonstrating "intolerance" after her arrest on August 15.
In a statement Amnesty International wrote: "The judge asked Zhanar Sekerbayeva inappropriate questions about her private life such as ‘Are you married? Do you have any children? Are you pregnant?’ and interrogated her about the poster."
Today she was ordered to pay a fine of 12,025 tenge – the equivalent of £26 – in a court hearing after being found guilty.
Lawyer Ayman Umarova told news website Azattyk that she intends to appeal.
Ms Sekerbayeva said she was disappointed with the reaction pictures of her taking part in the demonstration provoked.
She wrote: "Without finding arguments, people begin to discuss our appearance, sexuality, font posters, drawings or recommend us how to behave.
"All this once again shows me and my sisters that we are on the right track, feminism in Kazakhstan is necessary and we will not remain silent."
Heather McGill, Amnesty International researcher for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said: "The case against Zhanar Sekerbayeva is a perfect illustration of the Kazakhstani authorities’ intolerance to any views which they do not endorse.
“Rather than addressing the human rights concerns raised by these activists and seeking ways to break down the harmful stigma surrounding menstruation in Kazakhstan, the authorities have opted to shut down the discussion which Zhanar Sekerbayeva so bravely opened up.”
Oksana Pokalchuk, director of Amnesty International Ukraine, who was present in the court room, observed that the judge asked inappropriate questions about Zhanar Sekerbayeva’s private life.
She said: “This demonstrates exactly why Kazakhstan needs brave women like her to fight against discrimination.
"We call on the Kazakhstani authorities to end their illegitimate interference in Zhanar Sekerbayeva’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
"Taking photos is not a crime nor is campaigning for women’s health and rights.”
Feminita said in a statement: "We did not shout slogans, did not molest passers-by, did not carry out any aggressive actions.
"We held posters and peacefully answered questions to those who approached and asked."
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