ASKAROV Case

30/03/2011
Press release
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Azimjan Askarov during his trial at the Supreme court of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. Askarov, a prominent human rights defender and Director of the human rights organisation “Vozdukh” (Air) based in Jalalabad region, was arrested on June 15, 2010 by agents of Bazar Korgon police department for allegedly having urged ethnic Uzbeks, along with other leaders of the Uzbek community, to take as an hostage the district official Mr. A. Artykov, for having ordered the blockade of the Bishkek-Osh Highway along with 500 armed protesters, and having attacked police officers causing the death of one of them, Mr. Sulaimanov. On September 15, 2010, Mr. Askarov was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On February 8, 2011, the Supreme Court of Bishkek accepted new evidence in the criminal case of Azimjan Askarov and decided to suspend his trialuntil April 12. On April 7, the trial was suspended sine die. Human rights organisations are observing this important trial and fear this decision may postpone his release just as much. As of beginning of June, 2011, there were no news about the resuming of the trial.

THE TRIAL

Detailed report of the trial on January 26-27, 2011 and analysis of the organisation "Citizens against Corruption"
 English version
 Russian version

TESTIMONY

The following document has been drafted by the Human Rights Centre “Citizens against corruption” on the basis of Azimjan Askarov personal notes, written in prison at the end of 2010.

 English version
 Russian version

PRESS RELEASES

11 February 2011: "The Supreme Court suspended sine die the trial in appeal against Mr. Azimjam Askarov"
 English version

31 January 2011: "The Supreme Court accepted new evidence in the case of Mr. Azimjam Askarov"
 English version
 Russian version

8 December 2010: "FIDH’s President visits Azimjam Askarov in detention. Kyrgyz authorities must fight effectively against impunity and guarantee the rule of law"
 English version
 Russian version
 French version

17 November 2010: "Life sentence against Mr. Azimjam Askarov upheld in appeal, amid serious irregularities"
 English version

17 September 2010: "Sentencing to life imprisonment of Mr. Azimjam Askarov"
 English version

18 June 2010}: "Arbitrary detention of a human rights defender"
 English version

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