KGZ :: OBS :: Testimony of Aida Baydzhumanova, Executive Director Human Rights Center “Citizens Against Corruption” in Kyrgyzstan, about the case of Azimjan Askarov, human rights defender from Bazar Korgon in arbitrary detention

My name is Aida Baydzhumanova, Executive Director Human Rights Center “Citizens Against Corruption” in Kyrgyzstan. I [...] bring to your attention the case of Azimjan Askarov, human rights defender from Bazar Korgon. On June 15, 2010, he was arrested by the Bazar Korgon District police while documenting human rights violations and casualties that occurred during conflicts in south Kyrgyzstan. He was charged with organising and participating in mass unrest, as well as of killing a member of the police force. During the investigation, Askarov was repeatedly subjected to torture and ill-treatment. Nevertheless, he did not sign any document confessing any of the charges. On September 15, the Nooken District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment. His lawyers have appealed to the Supreme Court. The case is now suspended. We ask the international community to act in his case, and we demand that the Kyrgyzstan government grant him access to a fair trial and administration of justice.