Askat Zhetigen

Affiliated media: Blogger, Akyn

Incident date: March 18, 2024

Attack type:

• Ban on leaving the country

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Кaktus.media

Location: Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek

Additional information:

By the decision of the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek, a well-known blogger, composer and folk storyteller Askat Zhetigen was released on his own recognisance until the end of the investigation. Earlier, he was arrested for criticising an interview with the president of Kyrgyzstan in his video message on Facebook. The State Committee for National Security investigators brought him to Bishkek, detained him for 48 hours, and conducted several interrogations. According to his lawyer, the State Committee for National Security suspected Askhat of «сalls to seize power» and opened a criminal case. Since 2021, he has posted various video messages criticising the actions of the current authorities. In particular, Askat has spoken out against legalisation of gambling activities, changing the flag of the Kyrgyz Republic, imprisonment of activists, and reforms in the cultural sphere.