The human rights activist stated that she had repeatedly asked the administration of the pre-trial detention center to allow her to call her loved ones. "Today, February 20, I officially filed a lawsuit in the Administrative Court of Bishkek against the leadership of the State Penitentiary Service and the pre-trial detention center No. 1, seeking to hold them accountable," she noted.
Karasartova also added: "According to the law, during the investigation, convicted individuals have the right to communicate with their relatives in the presence of a facility staff member. However, this right remains unclaimed. This is the inaction of officials. If a law passed 20 years ago is not being enforced, what is its purpose? For five months, I tried to get a response and received none. I contacted the State Penitentiary Service since the pre-trial detention center is under their jurisdiction. The Deputy Head of the State Penitentiary Service, Sarchayev, claimed that all detainees have the opportunity to communicate by phone, but I have been there twice — and not once was I allowed to make a call. I hope the court will clarify why the law is not being enforced," said Karasartova.
She added that she is raising this issue to educate the public, as many people may not know their rights if their loved ones end up in pre-trial detention.
Karasartova emphasized: "No one expects their loved one to find themselves in such a situation, but if it happens, people should have the right to know about their relatives' health. For example, when we were in the pre-trial detention center in winter, many were suffering from the flu, and there were no medications. Fortunately, during the trial regarding the Kemin-Abad case, I managed to pass on some medicines. If prisoners had the opportunity to call, they could ask for necessary items to be sent. This is also a business of the pre-trial detention center, and we must put an end to this," she added.
The editorial team of Kaktus.media reached out to the State Penitentiary Service for comments.
We remind you that in September 2025, Karasartova was convicted under Articles 278 "Mass Riots" and 327 "Public Calls for Violent Seizure of Power" of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, with a sentence of five years of probationary supervision.
She also reported plans to appeal the city court's decision to the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic.
