Vikram Ruzakhunov about his detention in Almaty: I became a victim

The well-known jazz musician Vikram Ruzakhunov told reporters the details of his detention in Almaty and thanked all those people who were not indifferent.

According to him, when the rallies began in Almaty, he was going to return home to Bishkek, but he was detained while leaving.

«Anyone can find themselves in such a situation, I just became a victim of such circumstances. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I heard from inmates: if you make a video statement, you will be immediately sent to Bishkek, so I decided to say it. All my evidence on the video is false. Bruises and scratches appeared on January 7, it was a harsh detention with the use of force. There were four more citizens of Kyrgyzstan in the cell with me. According to some reports, they will be released tomorrow too,» the musician told.

I’m glad to be at home, it’s easy for me to breathe. Everything that you see on my face will heal up. My loved ones do not worry any more.

Vikram Ruzakhunov

The musician also thanked the Kyrgyz authorities for their support.

A video was published recently, in which a man says that he came to Kazakhstan to participate in a rally in Almaty. The man was recognized as the head of a jazz orchestra from Bishkek Vikram Ruzakhunov. Earlier, one of the local Kazakh TV channels showed a story, in which one of the detainees said that he came from Kyrgyzstan. The report says that some people called the Kyrgyzstani on January 1 and offered to participate in the rally for $200. The footage shows that there are traces of possible beating on the man’s face.