Kyrgyzstan: accused of torture escaped with probation
In early June, the Osh Regional Court sentenced four officers of the Department of Internal Affairs of the city of Kyzyl-Kiya on the case of the severe beating of three teenagers to obtain confessions. The Coalition against Torture in Kyrgyzstan informs about it.
All four were found guilty. The head of the Department of Internal Affairs Baktiyar Sydykov and two officers were sentenced to an equivalent sentence – 8 years and 6 months in prison, depriving them of the right to hold certain positions for 1 year. The deputy chief of the police department, Kanatbek Zholdoshov, was given one year less. However, referring to Article 63 (Probation), the court determined a suspended sentence for all perpetrators, and for each of them established a probationary period of two years.
Recall that in 2013, three teenagers were detained by officers of the Kyzyl-Kiysk police department in order to obtain confessions. The policemen tortured with a shocker, beat and kicked them. The parents of the victims turned to the Public Fund “Vekovaya Svecha (Kylym Shamy)”, which immediately responded and provided a lawyer to defend their interests. The fight for justice lasted for 7 years. According to lawyer Tair Asanov, there were many obstacles and threats from the accused.
“The first verdict in this case was passed in October-November 2018. Then the Osh city court found all four guilty. They were sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 14 to 12 years. The defendants were taken into custody right in the courtroom. However, in January 2019, the Osh regional court acquitted and released them. We’ve disagreed about this decision and appealed to the Supreme Court, which overturned the decision of the regional court and sent the case for reconsideration. And now, on June 5 of this year, the Osh regional court sentenced them to eight and a half years in prison, applying Article 63 “Probation” of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan, “Tair Asanov told ACCA.
Human rights defenders of “Vekovaya Svecha (Kylym Shamy)” Public Foundation said that they do not agree with such a mild court sentence and intend to appeal to the Supreme Court. Besides, they will seek compensation for victims of torture.
