In Kyrgyzstan, violators of the state of emergency’s regimen are detained as dangerous criminals

Law enforcement officers severely detain citizens in the daytime. Human rights activists believe that law enforcement officers violate laws by their actions.

A video was published on social networks of the Kyrgyz Internet segment, where law enforcement officers rudely detained citizens and forced them to get into a police car. The video was made in the city of Kara-Suu (Osh region of Kyrgyzstan), where today 40 cases of coronavirus infection have been registered.

In a three-minute video, made by the security forces themselves, a patrol rides around the city during the day. Reminders are heard from the loudspeaker to comply with emergency requirements. During patrolling, police see a man walking down the street toward the park. There was an order to stop the car and the man was detained and put in the police car.

In the same way, police detain three more men. All four were put in the car, next to each other. Although this fact already violates safety requirements during a coronavirus pandemic. And only in the car, they begin to be asked about where they were going and whether they have itinerary sheets.

“I don’t have it. I went to the bank. Today I need to pay a loan,” one of the men replied.

Others also said that they went to the bank to get money and buy food or medicine.

Patrollers also warned residents that those, who unjustifiably went outside, would be held administratively liable. Although the commandant of the city of Osh, Kara-Suu and Nookat districts of Osh region, Nurdin Malikov still has not officially announced administrative responsibility. In addition, residents were not informed that citizens, who went out for groceries, to pharmacy or bank without the itinerary sheet, would be detained.

Later, the press service of the commandant’s office of the city of Osh, Kara-Suu and Nookat districts of Osh region commented on the video. It was stated that four detainees violated the rules of emergency.

The department said that before the arrest, these men were already warned, but instead of going to the store or to the bank, they were heading towards the park. They justified the arrests by the need to find out where they were going.

“These measures are aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus. We understand that not every citizen will like such actions. But, we are forced to take such measures for the safety of citizens,” the Agency’s press release notes.

The press service of the commandant’s office noted that the citizens of Kara-Suu, who were detained for violating the rules of emergency, were taken to the district department of internal affairs. After identifying them, they, together with police officers, passed an express test for coronavirus. The test results are not reported in the press release.

Nurislam Raimzhanov, a lawyer of the Coalition against Torture, commented on the legitimacy of the actions of security forces for ACCA.

“Police officers, who shamelessly pushed people into the car, exceed their authority. They violate the human right to travel. A state of emergency is currently operating in Osh region, and a curfew has been established from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. However, during the day, people have the right to go to the store or pharmacy. At the same time, security officials, detaining citizens, first seize them in a very rude form, put them in a car, and only then ask them where they are going and inquire if there is an itinerary list,” said Raimzhanov.

He emphasized that although the commandant’s office calls this a preventative work, in fact it is a violation of human rights. In addition, law enforcement officers violate one of the articles of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On internal affairs bodies”, according to which they are required to introduce themselves to citizens before demanding anything.

“This should work during the state of emergency too,” the lawyer said.

It should be noted that if a police officer refuses to present an official certificate, a citizen has the right not to obey his requirements.

Raimzhanov also explained that the lack of an itinerary sheet is not a reason to be delivered to the police station.

“They should take an interest in the destination, get to know the itinerary and identity documents. If these people didn’t have passports, the police would have legal grounds for detention in order to verify their identity,” said the human rights activist.

He lamented that such behavior of law enforcement officials frightens people. They don’t understand what kind of procedures are in place and what they have the right to do during the day.

Recall that in Kyrgyzstan from March 25 to April 15, a state of emergency was introduced in those areas where the first cases of coronavirus were detected. The three largest cities of the country (Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad, as well as Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region, Nookat and Kara-Suu districts of Osh region) were among the zones of emergency.