Lawyers representing the interests of the family of a human rights activist Azimzhan Askarov, who died in prison, are preparing an appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. Lawyer Bakyt Avtandil told 24.kg news agency.
According to him, in December 2021, the State Committee for National Security, which investigates Askarov’s death, sent an order to the Investigation Department of the State Penitentiary Service to interrogate the key witnesses.
«These are Azimzhan Askarov’s cellmates, doctors, and former spokesman for the service Samat Kylykov. The latter stated that the convict was fine. But he passed away a few days later. The order is still being executed by the State Penitentiary Service. There is not even an interim report,» Bakyt Avtandil said.
He added that the lawyers are preparing an appeal to the Special Rapporteur of the UN Committee on Human Rights about the inaction of the investigative authorities.
Azimzhan Askarov died in hospital of the prison colony No. 47 on July 25, 2020. According to the conclusion of the medical examination, his death was caused by acute respiratory failure.
The criminal investigation into the death of the human rights activist was resumed in September 2021. First, the State Penitentiary Service conducted the investigation, and then the case was sent to the State Committee for National Security.
