Ilgiz Shamenov (Saryldyk uulu)
Civic activist and entrepreneur.
House detention. Due to health reasons, his case has been separated from the main trial and is being considered as a standalone proceeding.
Currently, the case is under review in the city court (second instance), and a verdict has not yet been delivered.
“Charged under Articles Organization of mass riots – Article 278
Calls for the violent seizure of power – Article 327”
The “Kempir-Abad case” is a politically and socially significant criminal case in Kyrgyzstan. It arose from the civic activism of local residents and human rights defenders who sought to protect the Kempir-Abad reservoir, raising ecological and legal concerns and demanding the preservation of national borders. Although their actions were peaceful and aimed at protecting public interests, the authorities responded with political persecution. Many activists were arrested, and criminal cases were initiated against them.
Court proceedings in the Kempir-Abad case are ongoing. In the first instance, some defendants were acquitted, but the case is still under review in the city court at the appellate level.
Ilgiz Shamenov, one of the defendants, is a civic activist who publicly raised concerns about political persecution. While in Moscow, he recorded a joint video appeal with other activists calling attention to the arrests in Kyrgyzstan. Shortly afterward, he was detained together with Orozaiym Narmatova, extradited to Kyrgyzstan, and placed under prosecution. Ilgiz Shamenov stated that his detention was politically motivated and linked to his involvement in issues surrounding Jetim-Too. He stated that he was pressured in the pretrial detention center and that his complaints to officials had brought no results. He also claimed that a mentally unstable inmate had been deliberately placed in his cell, though he did not know why. Shamenov had sent a letter about his situation to media outlets, international organizations, and the Kyrgyz Ombudsman’s office.
Ilgiz Shamenov’s health significantly deteriorated while in custody. He was diagnosed with several serious conditions, including gastritis, cholecystitis, pyelonephritis, and diabetes, and he also had a history of surgical operations. In March 2023, his lawyers repeatedly appealed to the SIZO 1 administration and the courts, stressing the urgent need for medical treatment. However, medical assistance was delayed, causing a sharp decline in his condition.
On April 10–11, 2023, Shamenov’s health worsened critically, and he was transferred to a private clinic in Bishkek. Doctors confirmed that his condition was severe and that adequate treatment was not possible in detention. Human rights defenders and his lawyers described the delays in providing care as a gross violation of his rights. Based on medical reports and appeals, Shamenov’s case was separated from the main Kempir-Abad trial and is now being handled independently due to his health condition. Since then, he has required repeated hospitalizations and inpatient treatment. Shamenov requires qualified medical care, constant monitoring, and rehabilitation. The conditions in detention restricted his access to adequate treatment and hindered his recovery process. His lawyers have emphasized on multiple occasions that he urgently needs long-term medical care and rehabilitation. Due to these health concerns, his case has been formally separated and temporarily excluded from the main court proceedings.
