Detention of human rights activists: Aziza Abdirasulova charged

The police released the human rights activist Aziza Abdirasulova.

She said that the police officers themselves did not know what to do with her. After the lawyer came, she was charged under the article «Disobedience to the lawful demand of an employee of the internal affairs bodies».

«The case will be sent to court. I believe that my detention is related to the interview I gave to the media. In it, I criticized the authorities quite harshly. After that, a police officer came to me with a warning that I should not publish materials on Kempir-Abad reservoir. I would like to say that I will continue to protect the rights of the people,» said Aziza Abdirasulova.

The same charge was brought against the Chairman of the Committee for Protection of the Rights of Political Prisoners, Saparbek Argymbaev.

Human rights activists Aziza Abdirasulova and Saparbek Argymbaev were detained on November 15 near the White House in Bishkek.

Earlier, law enforcement officers asked Aziza Abdirasulova not to publish information on Kempir-Abad reservoir on social media.

The Committee for protection of Kempir-Abad reservoir was created on October 22. It includes activists, politicians and MPs. On the same day, in an interview with Kabar news agency, President Sadyr Japarov said: the authorities have information who was behind the rallies and marches on Kempir-Abad issue.

Mass arrests began on October 23. Authorities placed 26 people in jail on charges of preparing for riots.

A number of international human rights organizations such as the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC), the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), Freedom Now and others issued a statement calling for the immediate release of politicians and activists arrested in Kyrgyzstan.