Mambetzhunus Abylov
Kyrgyzstani statesman, former Minister and Ambassador, and a prominent member of the opposition.
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.
He was charged under Article 36-278 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic (“Preparation for organizing mass riots”) and Article 327 — calls for the violent seizure of power.
2022, activists, politicians, and public figures who opposed the Kyrgyz government’s decision to transfer the Kempir-Abad reservoir to Uzbekistan were arrested. The case caused widespread public discontent and later became known as the “Kempir-Abad case.”
In October 2022, mass arrests began under this case. Mambetzhunus Abylov was not among those initially detained. However, on October 23, he attended a press conference in support of those arrested and publicly criticized the authorities’ actions. Three days later, on October 26, the authorities accused him of involvement in the activities of the “Committee to Protect Kempir-Abad,” arrested him, and placed him in SIZO-1 in Bishkek.
He was charged under Article 36-278 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic (“Preparation for organizing mass riots”).
Due to the harsh conditions in pre-trial detention (SIZO-1), his health suffered a sharp decline.
During his detention in SIZO-1, Mambetzhunus Abylov’s health sharply deteriorated. On December 14, 2022, he declared a hunger strike, which further weakened his body and immune system. On February 13, 2023, he was transferred to the National Hospital, where he underwent surgery to treat serious, life-threatening conditions. Although the surgery was successful, he was returned to SIZO without proper rehabilitation. His condition remained poor, and on April 12, 2023, the court changed his preventive measure, releasing him under house arrest.
At present, Abylov remains under house arrest, under medical supervision, and strictly following doctors’ recommendations. He still suffers from recurring health issues and requires regular medical examinations and treatment. Despite repeated appeals, the court has refused to grant him permission to travel abroad for medical care. This situation poses a serious risk to his health, leaving his medical needs only partially met.
