The Kazakh side promises to conduct the most open investigation into the use of torture against Cholponbek Sydykov and Vikram Ruzakhunov. The head of the Office of Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan Askat Azarbekov told at a press conference.
According to him, criminal cases have been initiated under Article 146 «Torture» of the Criminal Code of Republic of Kazakhstan.
«We expressed the hope that a competent investigation will be carried out and a fair decision will be made in relation to those citizens or police officers who harmed the health of Kyrgyzstanis. We were assured that the investigation will be as open and fair as possible, within the framework of the law and international agreements,» he stressed.
According to official information, five citizens of Kyrgyzstan were detained after the unrest in Kyrgyzstan. One of them was a musician Vikram Ruzakhunov, who was released the next day. Four more compatriots were released on January 15. Being in Kyrgyzstan, Vikram Ruzakhunov admitted that he had been tortured during his detention in Almaty.
Kyrgyzstani Cholponbek Sydykov was detained during the January events in Almaty. The man said that he had been beaten in the city’s police station. The victim was brought to Bishkek and hospitalized at the Bishkek Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics in a serious condition — he had multiple injuries and fractures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note of protest to the Kazakh side.
