Russian Activist Disappears in Bishkek after Previous Detention
Russian Activist Lev Skoryakin Missing in Bishkek
Bishkek, October 19, 2023 – Lev Skoryakin, a Russian activist, has gone missing in Bishkek, according to a post by oppositionist Lyubov Sobol on a social media platform. Human rights activists have confirmed the report and stated that Skoryakin, an activist of the “left bloc” who was in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, was kidnapped on the night of October 17.
Sobol further explained that Skoryakin had been released from a pre-trial detention center a month prior based on a decision by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kyrgyzstan, which refused his extradition to Russia. Skoryakin is an asylum seeker in Kyrgyzstan and is protected under international law from being extradited or deported to his home country.
The activist recently obtained a German ersatz passport and humanitarian protection from Germany, with plans to travel there. However, on the night of October 16-17, a group of ten individuals arrived in two cars at Skoryakin’s shelter. They claimed to be the criminal investigation team of the Kyrgyz police and took him away to an unknown location. Despite efforts by his lawyers, Skoryakin’s whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not been found in any police stations or detention facilities.
Lev Skoryakin has been recognized as a political prisoner by the human rights organization Memorial in the Russian Federation. He left Russia in January while under investigation and sought refuge in Kyrgyzstan, where he was later detained due to an interstate search. In September 2023, he was released following the prosecutor’s decision to refuse extradition.
Sobol has called on anyone with information about Skoryakin’s whereabouts to contact the supporting human rights organizations at freeskoryakin@proton.me.
This incident follows a previous report in June of the detention of a group of Russian activists in Bishkek, who were subsequently placed in a pre-trial detention center.
The disappearance of Lev Skoryakin has raised concerns among human rights activists and organizations, who are urging authorities to investigate the matter and ensure his safety and well-being.
