Ali Shabdan
Civic activist.
House detention on Kempir Abad case.
Currently, the case is under review in the city court (second instance), and a verdict has not yet been delivered.
Charged under Article 278 — organizing mass riots;
Article 327 — calls for the violent seizure of power.
In 2022, amid the political tensions around the Kempir-Abad water reservoir, a number of activists and opposition politicians were arrested on charges of “preparing to organize mass unrest” and “attempting to seize power by force.” Ali Shabdan was among those targeted. He was detained in October 2022, and a criminal case was opened against him. On August 28, 2023, he was released to house arrest, and in June 2024 the court fully acquitted him.
Shabdan’s detention caused severe social and moral hardship for his family. At the time of his arrest, his wife had just given birth and was left alone with a newborn. The family faced both financial and emotional difficulties and required social support. His case became a symbol in the broader debates about freedom of expression and human rights in Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the political persecution of dissenting voices.
In December 2022, while held in SIZO-1, Ali Shabdan reported suffering from a stomach ulcer. The Ombudsman and the National Center confirmed that his health had deteriorated in detention, noting both weakened cardiac function and ongoing complications from the ulcer. On February 21, 2023, he was scheduled for a mandatory medical examination at the National Hospital, but the penitentiary authorities did not grant permission for his transfer.
During his time in custody, he received only limited medical attention. While some monitoring by prison doctors was provided, diagnostic capacity, specialist care, and access to necessary medications remained insufficient. The ulcer required timely treatment, but in practice Shabdan often faced delays and obstacles in receiving adequate care during acute episodes.
