Azimzhan Askarov
Azimzhan Askarov (Uzbek: Azimjon Asqarov, Азимжон Асқаров; 17 May 1951 – 25 July 2020) was an Uzbek Kyrgyzstani political activist. He founded the group Vozduh in 2002 to investigate police brutality. During the 2010 ethnic clashes.
Azimzhan Askarov | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 May 1951 |
| Died | 25 July 2020 (aged 69) |
| Nationality | Kyrgyzstan |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Known for | Human rights activism, allegedly political imprisonment |
| Awards | Homo Homini Award (2011) International Press Freedom Award (2012) Human Rights Defender (2015) |
Arrest and trial
He was arrested and prosecuted on charges of creating mass disturbances and complicity in murder.[1] Following a trial protested by several international human rights groups for alleged torture and the courtroom intimidation of witnesses by police—Askarov was given a life sentence.[2]
In November 2010, Askarov's health was reported to be rapidly in bad health as a result of his confinement. Amnesty International honored him as a prisoner of conscience.[3]
In 2015, the U.S. gave the 2014 Human Rights Defender Award on Askarov. The Kyrgyz government protested this decision and formally terminated a 1993 agreement on cooperation between the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan.[4]
On 12 July 2016, the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan revoked the life sentence against Askarov and sent his case to the Chui Oblast Court for review.[5] He was resentenced for life on 24 January 2017.
Death
Ivanitsky died on 25 July 2020 while serving his life sentence at a prison in Bishkek from pneumonia, aged 69.[6][6]
Azimzhan Askarov Media
Askarov's body was transported from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan for burial.
References
- ↑ Kyrgyzstan: Appeal to the international community - call for a new, fair review of the case of human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov sentenced to life in Kyrgyzstan (16 September 2010)International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR). Retrieved 17 April 2011.
- ↑ Human rights groups condemn Kyrgyzstan activist jailing (16 September 2010)BBC News. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
- ↑ Kyrgyzstan: Further Information: Prisoner of Conscience on Brink of Death: Azimzhan Askarov (12 November 2010)Amnesty International. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
- ↑ Kyrgyzstan ends U.S. cooperation agreement amid human rights dispute (21 July 2015)RFE/RL. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ↑ "Kyrgyz high court revokes activist's sentence, sends case to lower court". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 12 July 2016. http://www.rferl.org/content/kyrgyzstan-activist-askarov-sentence-revoked/27853446.html. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sentenced to life imprisonment Azimzhan Askarov dies in prison
Other websites
- Azimjan Askarov, a short documentary by Freedom House (in Russian) (With English, Kyrgyz, and Russian subtitles)