Kyrgyzstan: human rights defenders have been seeking to bring police officers to justice for torture during 2.5 years
In 2019, a resident of Bishkek, Vladimir Kosash, said that the officers of the Department of Internal Affairs of Oktyabrsky district tortured him during his arrest. The National Center for the Prevention of Torture is in charge of bringing the police officers to justice.
On January 17, 2019, the police officers arrived at the address of Vladimir Kosash at his request. The police officers found the man in a state of strong alcoholic intoxication. He had a knife in his hands. While trying to disarm Vladimir, the policeman was wounded, namely the man inflicted a cutting wound on his hand. According to Vladimir, it happened by accident. However, the officials of the authorities have a different opinion, they accused Vladimir of attempted murder. To gain confession, he was severely beaten.
“Kosash was beaten. They broke his ribs and tortured, demanding a confession from him in an attempt to kill a police officer. This continued until he lost consciousness,” said the victim’s lawyer.
As a result, the defendant was sentenced to eight years in prison.
On February 1, 2019, the National Center for the Prevention of Torture received information that this person had been subjected to violence. On the same day, employees of the Center visited correctional colony No. 47, where Vladimir Kosash is being held. A protocol on torture and bodily harm was drawn up and sent to the Prosecutor’s office of Oktyabrsky district. Pre-trial materials were sent to the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“At present, the investigative body of the State Committee for National Security in Bishkek has not yet made a final procedural decision. And this is despite the fact that 2.5 years have passed. They replied that an investigation was being conducted to establish all the facts in the case,” the National Center explains.
The National Center for the Prevention of Torture will continue to monitor the case of Vladimir Kosash.
