Synthetic lace lingerie ban in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan prompts street protests

The authorities in Kazakhstan have detained several women protesting against a ban on synthetic lace underwear.



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.



Another demonstrator said that local residents have been receiving messages on their phones urging them to stay at home.


YouTube link. Original BBC News video.

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.