Azimzhan Askarov is an ethnically Uzbek Kyrgyzstani political activist who founded the group Vozduh in 2002 to investigate police brutality. During the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots, which primarily targeted people of the Uzbek nationality, Askarov worked to document the violence.
He was subsequently arrested and prosecuted on charges of creating mass disturbances, incitement of ethnic hatred, and complicity in murder. Following a trial protested by several international human rights groups for irregularities--including alleged torture and the courtroom intimidation of witnesses by police--Askarov was given a life sentence, which he is currently serving.
Azimzhan Askarov is an ethnically Uzbek Kyrgyzstani political activist who founded the group Vozduh in 2002 to investigate police brutality. During the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots, which primarily targeted people of the Uzbek nationality, Askarov worked to document the violence.
ReplyDeleteHe was subsequently arrested and prosecuted on charges of creating mass disturbances, incitement of ethnic hatred, and complicity in murder. Following a trial protested by several international human rights groups for irregularities--including alleged torture and the courtroom intimidation of witnesses by police--Askarov was given a life sentence, which he is currently serving.