Arrest of the defendants in the so-called Kempir-Abad case, held in Bishkek pre-trial detention center 1, was extended until January 29. Lawyer Erkin Sadanbekov told 24.kg news agency.
According to him, representatives of the defense asked to change the measure of restraint to one not related to imprisonment, arguing that many of the people under investigation had health problems, but the court decided to extend the period of detention.
«The preventive measure was extended in the absence of our clients. This is a gross violation of the norms of criminal procedure legislation, and we said it to the judge,» he added.
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 27 people in jail on charges of preparing for riots. Currently, 11 people remain in custody.
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.
