The reaction of a well-known lawyer and the Ombudsman Institute to the poet's statement
Askat Zhetigen, a poet, filed a complaint about abuse and threats from an employee of colony No. 27, known by the name Ulan. This information appeared on social media thanks to lawyer Nurbek Toktakunov, who published Zhetigen's letter.
According to the poet, the incidents began after he appealed to the Ombudsman Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic, where he reported violations and corruption in the institution. As a result, he had to write a letter to Toktakunov, asking for protection and attention to the threats and violations of his rights.
“Dear lawyer!
I am reaching out to you due to the unlawful actions of the employees of colony No. 27. On March 2, 2026, the head of the operational department named Ulan sent me to the punishment cell without any legal grounds. When I asked him to explain the reasons, he replied that he would 'return me to my previous harsh living conditions' and made a false accusation that I was allegedly 'agitating the convicts'.
This statement is completely untrue. I have never supported the criminal world, and everyone knows this. Interestingly, the employee who drafted the act of my transfer to the punishment cell could not even specify the reason for the violation in the document.
In my opinion, the true reasons for my persecution lie in the fact that I reported serious violations by the colony's management:
Since April 2025, the coal allocated by the state for heating the premises of the convicts has been misused by the employees.
At least four times a week, from evening until morning, they heat the bathhouse for their own pleasure. These abuses have been ongoing for a year.
Moreover, the employees have set a fee of 2000 soms for visiting the gym, thereby restricting the convicts' rights to engage in sports, while the employees themselves use the gym without restrictions, even during working hours.
Repairs of the offices of the squad leaders and other premises were carried out using funds collected from the convicts.
Last week, the Ombudsman Commission (Akıykatchy) visited the colony for an inspection. I openly told them about the aforementioned violations by the employees. During this conversation, Ulan tried to interfere and conceal the offenses, which led to a verbal altercation between us. The intervention of the Akıykatchy representative stopped his unlawful actions.
This employee is known for his aggression and cruelty. Every time before the arrival of commissions, convicts are forced to assert that 'everything is fine'.
Those who try to voice the truth are threatened with beatings, humiliation, placement in the punishment cell, and forced hard labor.
Employees actually mock the convicts at their whim, which causes many to remain silent out of fear.
The day after the Ombudsman's visit, Ulan gathered all the convicts and openly threatened us, stating: 'The commission will be here for only a day, and then you will stay with me! I will show you! When Orozо ends, I will arrange a different regime for you! I have enough spirit for this!' After that, threats and pressure followed.
My current placement in the punishment cell is revenge for not being afraid to contradict the head of the operational department and for telling the truth to the inspection. The conditions of my detention are also being violated: I was not taken out for lunch but was kept in the exercise yard for over an hour in the rain.
In light of the above, I ask you to urgently make this information public and initiate prompt actions from law enforcement agencies to provide me with protection and assistance,” wrote the poet.
Lawyer Nurbek Toktakunov noted that Zhetigen's transfer to the punishment cell was carried out without specifying specific legal grounds and terms of detention. He emphasizes the importance of obtaining an official response from the institution's administration regarding the reasons and legality of this decision.
The lawyer also reported that he sent a corresponding request and insists on receiving information within the legally established deadlines. He highlighted that issues concerning the conditions of detention and the application of disciplinary measures require transparency and legal assessment.
In turn, the Akıykatchy Institute reported that on February 27, employees conducted monitoring at institution No. 27 of the State Penitentiary Service. During the visit, poet Askat Zhetigen reported on the rough treatment by a colony employee. The institution's management was informed on-site to take action.
The Ombudsman’s office also added that in light of the received information, an additional control inspection will be conducted in this colony.
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