Kazakhstan Court Sentences 6 Police Officers for Torturing Vikram Ruzahunov
Almaty Court Sentences Police Officers to Prison for Torture
The Karasai District Court of Almaty region recently handed down a verdict in a case involving the torture of detainees at a special detention center in Koshmambet village during the violent events that took place in early January 2022. The court found six individuals, including former deputy head of the Almaty Police Department Berik Abilbekov, guilty of using torture against citizens from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan who were detained during that time.
Among the victims was jazz musician Vikram Ruzahunov from Kyrgyz Republic, who was one of the detainees subjected to torture. The defendants, including Bauyrzhan Sopakov, Arman Shoibekov, Olzhas Aidarkhanov, Serik Turpanov, and Nursultan Khamitov, were sentenced to three years in prison and stripped of their ranks by the court. They were taken into custody immediately after the verdict was announced, with a 15-day window to appeal.
The case proceedings, which began on September 16, 2024, focused on charges of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, torture, and abuse of power or official authority against the police officers involved. The incident came to light on January 9, 2022, when a video surfaced showing a man claiming he was enticed to participate in a rally in Almaty for monetary gain. This man was later identified as Vikram Ruzahunov, who was eventually released and returned to Kyrgyzstan amidst calls from activists and journalists for justice.
Following his ordeal, Ruzahunov filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the torture he endured, totaling 61 million tenge. The successful conviction of the former police officers responsible for his mistreatment marks an important step towards accountability and justice for the victims of torture in Kazakhstan.
