Azimzhan Askarov

Azimzhan Askarov (; 17 May 1951 – 25 July 2020) was an Uzbek Kyrgyzstani political activist. He founded the group Vozduh in 2002 to investigate police brutality. During the 2010 ethnic clashes.

Arrest and trial
He was arrested and prosecuted on charges of creating mass disturbances and complicity in murder. Following a trial protested by several international human rights groups for alleged torture and the courtroom intimidation of witnesses by police—Askarov was given a life sentence. 

In November 2010, Askarov's health was reported to be rapidly in bad health as a result of his confinement. Amnesty International honored him as a  prisoner of conscience.

In 2015, the U.S. gave the 2014 Human Rights Defender Award on Askarov. The Kyrgyz government protested this decision and formally terminated a 1993 agreement on cooperation between the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan. 

On 12 July 2016, the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan revoked the life sentence against Askarov and sent his case to the Chui Oblast Court for review. He was resentenced for life on 24 January 2017. 

Death
Ivanitsky died on 25 July 2020 while serving his life sentence at a prison in Bishkek from pneumonia, aged 69.Sentenced to life imprisonment Azimzhan Askarov dies in prison

References

Other websites
Azimjan Askarov, a short documentary by Freedom House  (With English, Kyrgyz, and Russian subtitles)

Category:2020 deaths
Category:1951 births
Category:Political activists
Category:20th-century journalists
Category:Human rights activists
Category:Kyrgyzstani people
Category:Deaths from pneumonia
Category:CPJ International Press Freedom Award winners
Category:21st-century journalists