Aqylbek Muratbai Wrote Letter from Almaty Pre-trial Detention Center

In his note, the Karakalpak activist called for the release of a human rights activist arrested in Uzbekistan, Orda.kz reports.

Muratbai writes that he fears for the life of another human rights activist, Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, who was arrested in Uzbekistan. Tazhimuratov may be killed in the same way that Russian authorities killed Navalny, Muratbai believes.

In his letter, sent on October 4, Aqylbek Muratbai emphasizes that the Karakalpak people are trying to show the international community their predicament.

But it often feels like our voices aren’t getting through, writes the human rights activist.

Even though Kazakhstan has denied him asylum and Uzbekistan is seeking his extradition, he has reassured that he carries on and is trying to challenge the refugee status denial.

He said that he has been in the Almaty pre-trial detention center for eight months, only noting the lack of walks.

I know that things are much worse for Karakalpak activists arrested in Uzbekistan – torture is often used there; is killing possible? writes Muratbai.

Aqylbek Muratbai called on international human rights activists and governments of democratic countries to “raise more often and loudly the issues of human rights violations in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the fate of Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov in particular.”

According to Muratbai, Tazhimuratov’s death could affect stability and security in the entire Central Asian region.

Therefore, I once again call on the Uzbek authorities to release Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov and other political prisoners, including me, and to begin a dialogue about the future of Karakalpakstan and the rights of the Karakalpaks. Better late now than never in the future, writes Muratbai.

Muratbai, a long-time Almaty resident, was detained in the city on February 15. He was arrested at the request of Uzbekistan. He has actively raised the Karakalpak people's problems, including those forced to flee their homeland. 

On March 19, the Prosecutor's Office extended Muratbai's extradition arrest for a year. 

On September 12, Kazakhstan did not grant Aqylbek Muratbai refugee status. As a result, the likelihood of his extradition to Uzbekistan has increased significantly.

Original Author: Rimma Karatayeva