At least 151 people died in correctional institutions of Kyrgyzstan from 2020 to 2022. The Director of the National Center for Prevention of Torture, Bakyt Rysbekov, said in Expert Taldait program of Radio Azattyk.
He noted that in 2023 there were five suicides and there is no information yet whether an investigation was conducted into them.
«One person died from tuberculosis in the institution No. 31 at the beginning of 2024. On December 31, 2023, according to the preliminary conclusion, another one died due to appendicitis,» he noted.
Bakyt Rysbekov added that a prisoner can be released, if he or she is diagnosed with a serious illness. In 2023, for this reason, one was released at the fourth stage of cancer. At the same time, three people died from cancer and some are dying from liver cirrhosis. The head of the National Center does not know why they are not released.
The National Center was not included in the commission to clarify the circumstances of Arstanbek Abdyldaev’s death, but was offered to be an observer.
The death of Arstanbek Abdyldaev (Arstan Alai) was reported on the morning of January 5, 2024. His lawyer Kaisyn Abakirov reported about it. He demanded from the Prosecutor General’s Office to conduct an investigation into his death. Later, the Penitentiary Service stated that Arstan Alai committed suicide: he was found hanged.
Arstan Alai was detained on December 15. A criminal case was opened against him under Article 330 «Incitement of religious hostility» of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. He was kept in prison colony No. 21 of the Penitentiary Service. On December 28, 2023, Arstan Alai complained about his health condition and, upon the direction of doctors, was transferred to the central hospital located on the territory of colony No. 31 of the State Penitentiary Service for medical examination and treatment.
The Prosecutor General’s Office began a pre-investigation check and will give a legal assessment of the actions of government officials.
