Kazakhstani authorities have detained several women protesting against a ban on lace underwear, it has been reported.One of the seven women held at the demonstration in Almaty, was waving what she said was the last pair of lace panties she had left, a local website reported. Another protester 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.