Country: Kyrgyzstan — Political Prisoner Database

Azimzhan Askarov

An ethnic Uzbek human rights defender who documented police violence. He was arrested on trumped-up charges and sentenced to life in prison despite UN protests.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Tilekmat Kurenov

Tilekmat Kurenov is a Kyrgyz activist known for his outspoken stance on sovereignty, democracy, and resource protection. Previously convicted on politically motivated charges in 2021 and again targeted during the 2022 “Kempir-Abad case,” he fled Kyrgyzstan in fear of persecution. In 2025, he was abducted from the UAE and forcibly returned to Kyrgyzstan, where he is now held in detention. His case illustrates the cross-border reach of political persecution and the authorities’ determination to silence dissent.

URGENT ACTION

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Mansur Movlaev

Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev's appeal for refugee status in Kazakhstan was rejected. He faces extradition to Russia, where he faces charges of extremism and fears for his life.

INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

LAST UPDATED · JUN 2, 2026

Mambetzhunus Abylov

Mambetzhunus Abylov is a Kyrgyzstani statesman, former Minister and Ambassador, and a prominent member of the opposition. He was arrested in connection with the Kempir-Abad case, which involves opposition to the transfer of the Kempir-Abad reservoir to Uzbekistan. Following his arrest, his health deteriorated significantly due to harsh conditions in SIZO-1 and a subsequent hunger strike. After undergoing life-threatening surgery in early 2023, he was placed under house arrest. He remains under medical supervision but faces risks due to restricted access to specialized medical care abroad.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Beknazar Aitaliev

Beknazar Aitaliev, civic activist and coordinator of the “Transformation” movement, was arrested after supporting residents protesting against the demolition of houses in the Kok-Jar district of Bishkek. Authorities accused him of calling for mass unrest and disobedience to government orders. On 27 December 2025 he was sentenced to 3 years of probation.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Emilbek Uzakbaev

The trial of former Dushanbe Airport head Emilbek Uzakbaev is ongoing regarding a massive corruption case involving over 1 billion somoni. He is one of several officials accused of misappropriating funds.

LAST UPDATED · JUN 2, 2026

Kanyshay Mamyrkulova

Kanyshay Mamyrkulova is an independent journalist detained in retaliation for social media posts critical of the government and the Kyrgyz-Tajikistani border agreement. She faces charges of inciting mass riots and inter-ethnic discord following a forensic linguistic examination.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Kanyshai Mamyrkulova

She has worked as a journalist for over 25 years, including as a correspondent, editor, and founder of her own independent media outlet, and has been active on social media as an independent critic of government policy. She was arrested in the morning at her home by law enforcement officers allegedly posing as potential buyers of her apartment. Kanyshai Mamyrkulova was charged with calling for mass riots (Article 278) and inciting interethnic/ethnic, racial or regional discord (Article 330). The Bishkek City Court on 13 of February acquitted her under Article 330 but found her guilty under Article 278, reducing her probation period to 3 years. She is currently under probation supervision with restrictions including a curfew and a ban on posting on social media.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Joodar Buzumov

Joodar Buzumov was detained as part of a criminal case against Temirov Live staff. He was released from pre-trial detention and placed under house arrest in April 2024.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Ayke Beyshekeeva

Ayke Beyshekeeva was sentenced to three years of probation for alleged involvement in calls for mass civil unrest. She is part of a group of journalists associated with Temirov Live and Ayt Ayt Dese.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 27, 2026

Azamat Ishembekov

Azamat Ishembekov, a human rights defender and akyn, was sentenced to five years in prison for alleged calls for mass civil unrest. His detention is part of a broader crackdown on investigative journalists in Kyrgyzstan.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 27, 2026

Maksat Tazhibek uulu

Maksat Tazhibek uulu was among the journalists detained during the January 2024 raids. He was subsequently placed under house arrest by the Pervomaisky District Court.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 27, 2026

Azamat Ishenbekov

Azamat Ishenbekov is a poet, journalist, and activist. He was arrested for his activist poetry and involvement with the “Ait Ait Dese” media project. He was accused of encouraging mass unrest through his public speeches and writings. On 10 October 2024, the Leninsky District Court sentenced him to five years in prison. The trial was conducted in secret, and defense lawyers criticized the lack of evidence. In April 2025, he was released under a presidential pardon.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Aktilek Kaparov

Aktilek Kaparov is an investigative journalist and the founder of Alga.media. He was arrested in January 2024 and charged with inciting mass unrest under Article 278(3) of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan. On 10 October 2024, the Leninsky District Court sentenced him to three years of probation. Human rights groups have criticized this case as part of a broader campaign against independent journalism in the country.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Saipidin Sultanaliev

Saipidin Sultanaliev is a journalist associated with Temirov Live who was detained in January 2024. He was later released from pre-trial detention under house arrest.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Tynystan Asypbek

Tynystan Asypbek was detained during raids on Temirov Live and later placed under house arrest. He is among the journalists facing charges related to mass civil unrest.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy

Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy is an investigative journalist and the head of Temirov LIVE and “Ait Ait Dese”. She was arrested on 15 January 2024 by the State Committee for National Security along with ten other journalists. She was accused of organizing and encouraging mass unrest and attempting to commit crimes related to public disorder. On 10 October 2024, the Leninsky District Court sentenced her to six years in prison. Human rights organizations condemned the trial as unfair and politically driven. During her detention, she has reported physical and psychological pressure, inadequate medical care, and harsh prison conditions, including a reported physical assault by law enforcement officers in April 2024.

URGENT ACTION

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Aike Beishekeeva

Aike Beishekeeva, fact-checker and journalist worked for Temirov LIVE. She was arrested on her 23rd birthday and accused of calling for mass unrest due to her investigative work. On 10 October 2024, the Leninsky District Court sentenced her to three years of probation. The trial was closed to the public, and the Supreme Court upheld the verdict.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Arstan Alai

Arstan Alai was a self-proclaimed spiritual leader and former presidential candidate who was arrested by the State Committee for National Security on charges of inciting religious hatred. He had previously made controversial public statements, including claiming divine status. Shortly after his arrest, he was transferred to Correctional Facility No. 31 in Chui Region. On 5 January 2024, he was found dead in custody. Authorities stated that he died by suicide, but the circumstances of his death were never fully clarified. The Prosecutor General’s Office launched an investigation into possible negligence by prison staff, but no transparent final report has been published.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Avtandil Jorobekov

Avtandil Jorobekov was detained in Bishkek in December 2023 after publicly opposing the government’s initiative to change the national flag and calling for peaceful protests. Although no rally had taken place, he was arrested preemptively and accused of inciting mass unrest and attempting to overthrow the government. In June 2024, he was transferred to house arrest. The case was later resumed in the Leninsky District Court, where he was found guilty of making calls via media and the internet to violently seize power. The court imposed a fine of 70,000 KGS and a travel ban until the verdict entered into force.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Klara Sooronkulova

Klara Sooronkulova is a prominent lawyer, human rights defender, and political figure in Kyrgyzstan. A former judge of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court and leader of the “Reforma” political party, she has been a vocal critic of the authorities. She was arrested in connection with the high-profile "Kempirabad case" following protests over the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border demarcation. She was accused of organizing mass unrest and attempting to seize power, largely based on her social media activity. Despite an initial acquittal in June 2024, the case remains under appeal. Her detention has been widely condemned by international organizations as politically motivated persecution.

URGENT ACTION

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Melis Aspekov

Melis Aspekov is a political activist and former politician in Kyrgyzstan. He has faced multiple criminal cases over nearly a decade, including convictions for hooliganism in 2016 and extortion/fraud in 2021. In September 2023, he was arrested again for allegedly organizing mass unrest. He denies all charges, claiming political persecution due to his shifting political alliances and criticism of the authorities. On 28 February 2024, the Pervomaisky District Court sentenced him to seven years in a high-security colony. Aspekov has been held in various facilities, including pre-detention centre 1, Correctional Colony No. 47, and a strict-regime colony in Moldovanovka. He suffers from serious cardiovascular disease following a heart attack in 2021 and requires constant medical supervision.

HEALTH RISK

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Imamidin Tashov

Imamidin Tashov is a businessman and former presidential candidate from Kyrgyzstan. He was first arrested in 2023 for alleged illegal construction and later re-arrested in April 2024. He was charged with attempting to overthrow the government and illegal border crossing. In July 2025, he was sentenced to nine years in prison. His case is widely viewed as politically motivated.

URGENT ACTION

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

Ilgiz Shamenov (Saryldyk uulu)

Ilgiz Shamenov is a civic activist and entrepreneur involved in the 'Kempir-Abad case,' which arose from activism to protect the Kempir-Abad reservoir. He was detained after recording a video appeal regarding arrests in Kyrgyzstan. Shamenov claims his detention is politically motivated and linked to issues surrounding Jetim-Too. During his detention, he reported pressure and mistreatment, including being placed in a cell with a mentally unstable inmate. His health deteriorated significantly due to delayed medical care, leading to his case being separated from the main trial for independent consideration due to his medical condition.

URGENT ACTION

LAST UPDATED · MAY 26, 2026

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Documented Cases.

Azimzhan Askarov

Tilekmat Kurenov

Mansur Movlaev

Mambetzhunus Abylov

Beknazar Aitaliev

Emilbek Uzakbaev

Kanyshay Mamyrkulova

Kanyshai Mamyrkulova

Joodar Buzumov

Ayke Beyshekeeva

Azamat Ishembekov

Maksat Tazhibek uulu

Azamat Ishenbekov

Aktilek Kaparov

Saipidin Sultanaliev

Tynystan Asypbek

Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy

Aike Beishekeeva

Arstan Alai

Avtandil Jorobekov

Klara Sooronkulova

Melis Aspekov

Imamidin Tashov

Ilgiz Shamenov (Saryldyk uulu)