Background
According to Aizhamal, she was married to A. M. and left him six years ago after a series of beatings, taking her two children with her."I ran away at night barefoot, realizing that it could be too late otherwise," she recalls.The divorce occurred when their son was three years old, and the reason was physical and psychological abuse from her husband. After moving to Bishkek, A. M. tried to win the family back, promising that the violence would not happen again. However, soon his financial problems forced Aizhamal to work despite having a small daughter, which also caused his discontent. As a result, he began to show aggression again, culminating in an incident with a knife. This made her finally file for divorce.
After that, the ex-husband hardly participated in the children's lives and showed no interest in their upbringing, stating in court that they should stay with their mother.
When Aizhamal went abroad to study, A. M. took the children from their grandfather and filed a lawsuit demanding that the children live with him.
Upon her return, she tried to see the children and met them at a psychologist's office, where their father had brought them.
"In the specialist's office, he said: 'As long as you're here, let the children be with you.' We spent time together, and I felt that something was wrong. They looked depressed," Aizhamal said.
When her daughter confessed that their father hits her if she doesn't get up, and that their diet is limited to just cereal and eggs, Aizhamal was shocked. The children were afraid to talk about what was happening because their father threatened them.
The next day, relying on the children's words, she contacted the police.
"I filed a report of violence. The investigator refused to open a case, citing a lack of physical evidence. I asked: 'What, should I wait for bruises?'. I was told that 'first they argue, then they make up,' and that 'it’s better to get married, then the ex won't bother you.' This means that the police will not protect me, and another man should defend me," Aizhamal commented.
Results of the Examination
The psychological examination showed that both children suffer from psycho-emotional trauma caused by violence and intimidation from their father.The children experience intense fear and depression when recalling their life with their father, while the time spent with their mother is perceived as safe and supportive (from the results of the psychological examination).Experts noted that the father systematically used physical punishment and threats. Despite their fear of their father, the children expressed a desire to stay with their mother at all meetings, as she provides them with safety.
Refusal to Open a Case
Aizhamal reported that the deprivation of parental rights for A. M. was based on the psychologist's conclusions. However, the investigators did not take this into account."The court recognized him as an abusive parent and as having committed cruelty against the children. But law enforcement continues to refuse to open a criminal case. The official response states that the children's testimonies raise doubts, and additional examination is required for further consideration. The court believed the children, but the police did not," the woman noted.
Police Response
The Internal Affairs Department of the Oktobrskiy District of Bishkek confirmed that Aizhamal had filed a report of violence by A. M.This case has been registered, and a preliminary investigation has been initiated.A. M. filed a petition for a psychological and psychiatric examination. The police noted that a legal assessment would be given based on its results, but did not explain why measures regarding the report submitted in April 2025 have not yet been taken.
