Human rights activists call for immediate release of seriously ill Azimzhan Askarov on humanitarian grounds
Июл 23.2020On 22 July 2020, an attorney of Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan visited Azimzhan Askarov at the Institution No. 19 of the State Penitentiary Service (GSIN) under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, where he is serving his life sentence.
Two employees of the Institution No. 19 brought (he did not walk himself) A. Askarov to the meeting with the attorney, carrying him on their crossed arms. As Azimzhan Askarov explained to the attorney, he couldn’t walk, as he felt fatigue and it was even difficult for him to stand up, because he had dark diverging spots appear before his eyes when standing up, he felt dizzy and was losing balance. He had no appetite and had not been hungry for more than ten days. He was given vitamin shots.
As the attorney explained, Azimzhan Askarov had lost a lot of weight, his skin was yellowish.
The meeting took place through a glass partition, the conversation was over the phone. The attorney noticed the fact that during the conversation Azimzhan sometimes emitted squelching whistling internal sounds, gasped, and occasionally coughed.
According to Azimzhan Askarov, he spends most of the time lying down, as he feels fatigue. He cannot sleep at night, has nightmares, sometimes his body temperature rises and falls rapidly, and he begins to sweat profusely.
The HRM "Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan" believes that the further stay of the sick, elderly Azimzhan Askarov in prison is incompatible with his state of health and age. Keeping him in prison is cruel and inhuman.
We call on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to release Azimzhan Askarov, on humanitarian grounds and based on requirements of the Constitution stating that human rights and freedoms are among the highest values of the Kyrgyz Republic, and they determine the meaning and content of the activities of all state bodies, local governments and their officials.
For further information, please, contact the attorney V.A. Vakhitov, mobile: + 996 703 407 293.
HRM “Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan” PA
10 July 2020
Bishkek
contact details: +996 (312) 66 57 21
web site: http://birduino.kg
e-mail: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com