Avtandil Jorobekov
Civic activist, blogger
Convicted, fined (70,000 KGS), under travel restrictions
Article 313 – Calls for mass unrest of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan
Article 322 – Attempt to seize power by force of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan
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. During the investigation, two linguistic expert examinations produced contradictory conclusions, leading to delays in the case. In March 2024, proceedings were temporarily suspended, but Jorobekov remained in pre-trial detention. 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.
Jorobekov was held in the pre-detention centre -1 in Bishkek for several months. His communication with the outside world was severely restricted: he was only allowed contact with his lawyer, and phone calls or other forms of communication were prohibited. The prolonged pre-trial detention occurred despite delays in the investigation and unclear expert conclusions. After being transferred to house arrest, his movement remained restricted, and he continued to face legal pressure through travel bans and financial penalties.
During detention and interrogation, Jorobekov experienced significant psychological stress and pressure. His family reported that the constant uncertainty, isolation, and legal pressure negatively affected his emotional and physical well-being. Access to medical care in detention was limited, especially regarding psychological support and medication. After being placed under house arrest, he had better access to medical check-ups, but no detailed public information about his diagnosis or treatment has been released.
