Azimzhan Askarov’s case. Court upholds life sentence

 Visiting judicial bench of Chui regional court announced a verdict in the case of the human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov. The court found him guilty on all previous charges.

Azimzhan Askarov said that he would go on hunger strike in protest.

The human rights activist is charged with organizing mass disturbances, inciting ethnic hatred and murder of a police officer during 2010 June events in the south.

In April 2016, the UN Human Rights Committee recommended to release Askarov and provide him with access to justice.

The Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic sent the case to Chui regional court for reconsideration.

State prosecution asked to leave the sentence unchanged, lawyers argued that their client was innocent and reminded - confessions were given under torture.