"We Once Again Witnessed Intimidation" - Vikram Ruzahunov Comments on Verdict in Koshmambet Torture Case

Six former police officers were sentenced on January 17 in the Koshmambet torture case, Orda reports.

Though all defendants maintained their innocence, Judge Dinmukhamed Adaibayev sentenced six officers to three years in medium-security prison: former Almaty PD deputy head Berik Abilbekov and former Karasay UP employees Serik Turpanbaev, Nursultan Khamitov, Bauyrzhan Sopanov, Arman Shoibekov, and Olzhas Aidarkhanov (a former anti-organized crime unit officer).

The case involved 44 victims, including well-known Kyrgyz jazz musician Vikram Ruzahunov.

The court partially satisfied several civil claims, including Ruzahunov's, awarding him 5 million tenge in moral damages; he initially requested 61 million.

Ruzahunov shared his opinion on the proceedings:

This trial is only a small step towards justice, and, unfortunately, it has once again shown that the fight for human rights in Kazakhstan continues in the face of constant resistance from the system. Bloody January remains a wound that does not heal.

He noted that police officers gathering outside the court created an atmosphere of intimidation, though acknowledged the verdict represented at least partial admission of guilt.

The case stems from January 7, 2022, when KNB Border Service officials set up a checkpoint on the Almaty-Bishkek highway, detaining 99 people during a search for riot participants.

The detainees, including Ruzahunov, were subsequently tortured at a detention facility in Koshmambet village.

The facility was not officially operating at the time.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova