BISHKEK -- A well-known Kyrgyz jazz musician who was arrested in Kazakhstan during deadly anti-government protests in January says investigators in his country concluded that he was severely beaten by Kazakh law enforcement.
Vikram Ruzakhunov wrote on Facebook on July 11 that police in Bishkek's Lenin district had completed his case and concluded that Kazakh authorities had inflicted severe injuries.
"The complied materials will be sent via the Prosecutor-General's Office of the Kyrgyz Republic to the relevant authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice," Ruzakhunov wrote.
Ruzakhunov said earlier that he had suffered a chest injury, broken ribs, a concussion, and multiple bruises while in Kazakh custody.
Anti-government protests sparked by a fuel price hike erupted in Kazakhstan in early January. Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has publicly blamed what he said were “extremists” trained abroad for attacking Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, during the unrest. He has not produced any evidence to back up the claim.
Ruzakhunov's situation was amplified when a Kazakh television channel showed a video in which he said he was recruited by an unspecified group to take part in the unrest for $200. In the video, severe bruises can be seen on Ruzakhunov's face.
The video sparked protests in Kyrgyzstan, where Ruzakhunov was immediately recognized by his fans. The Kyrgyz government demanded Kazakhstan release him, and he was freed. He arrived in Bishkek on January 10.
Kazakhstan's deputy prosecutor general, Aset Shyndaliev, said in June that six people were tortured to death after being arrested for taking part in the protests, and 232 people died during the protests, which were violently dispersed by law enforcement and the armed forces.
Shyndaliev said at the time that eight officers of the Committee of National Security (KNB) and a police officer had been arrested on charge of torturing suspects. Overall, he said, 15 officers are suspected of using torture and illegal methods of interrogation.
The Prosecutor-General's Office said earlier that 25 people were officially considered victims of torture by hot irons used by investigators during interrogations.
Human rights groups insist that the number of killed during the unrest may be much bigger, presenting proof that many peaceful demonstrators and persons who had nothing to do with the protesters were killed by police and military personnel following an order from Toqaev to "shoot to kill without warning."