Kazakhstan court frees renowned anti-Beijing activist

Almaty (Kazakhstan) : A rights activist in Kazakhstan who faced seven years imprisonment over his outspoken opposition to neighbouring China has been unexpectedly freed as public and international pressure over his case mounted.

Serikjan Bilash, whose activism in defence of Muslim and Turkic minorities in Xinjiang earned him global media attention told AFP on Friday he struck a plea bargain with the court that allowed him freedom but will end his activism.

"I had to end my activism against China. It was that or seven years in jail. I had no choice," Bilash told AFP at a restaurant where he held a celebratory midnight feast with his family and around 40 supporters.

Bilash agreed to accept guilt over inter-ethnic incitement charges triggered by his call for an "information Jihad" against the Chinese authorities over their policies in Xinjiang earlier this year.

He will also be unable to leave the city of Almaty -- Kazakhstan's largest -- for the next three months according to the terms of his deal, he said.